"Yes, John Puddifoot, grocer, of the village of Grangeham. Stay—kindly write out a provisional declaration of transfer now, and I will sign it."
"To make this transfer of your property to the grocer legal, there must be a consideration," said the solicitor; "shall we say Natural Love and Affection?—Very good."
So the half-dazed solicitor drew it up, and the Squire signed it; and then the solicitor went away to prepare the formal deed; and the haggard Squire, catching up the child, hastily dressed him, carried him down to the hall, keeping his own body between his burden and all whom he passed, and, throwing on his great grey overcoat and drawing it over the child so as to conceal him as far as possible, hurried out and went straight away to the shop of John Puddifoot, grocer, and plunged straight into the little back parlour.
"Come in here, Puddifoot—come in here, and lock the door behind you!" cried the Squire, placing the child on a chair in the darkest corner, and standing at bay, as it were, in front of it.
"John Puddifoot, I have long been troubled with misgivings as to the happiness and welfare of those over whose lot I exercise a considerable influence. I do not know, in short, whether the tenants on my estate are as happy as they should be. This has worried me, Puddifoot; and I have decided that it is my duty to inquire into the matter; and it seems to me that the most effectual method of inquiry is to change places with one of them.
"I wished to do the thing thoroughly, and I have therefore made over my manor house, 'Grange,' unconditionally to you.
"My solicitor will see that all is correctly carried out. You are now absolute master of Grange, Puddifoot: therefore be good enough to go and fill your position there, leaving me to take your place here, and learn by my own experience whether your circumstances are as happy as it has been my duty to make them. Before making over the property, I left written instructions to my—your—steward that I should be treated here precisely the same as you have been; and I will beg you to allow this to stand. John!" continued the Squire, grasping the grocer's hand and gazing into his eyes, "I can trust you. You will not play me false. At some future time I might ask you to re-convey the house to me, and annul this act of mine. You would have power to refuse—but you will not!"
"HE WENT STRAIGHT AWAY."
The bewildered grocer began to murmur some unintelligible ejaculations.