wrote at the Baron's dictation:

'Pair of silver candlesticks: inlaid work-table and work-box: one
large mirror: two small ditto: one gilt china tea and coffee
service: one silver tea-pot, coffee-pot, sugar-basin, jug, and dozen
spoons: French clock: pair of curtains: six large pictures.'

'Now,' said the Baron, 'tear out that leaf and give it to me. Keep a
close tongue about this; go home, and don't be surprised at anything
that may come to your door.'

'But, my noble lord, you don't mean that your lordship is going to
give--'

'Never mind what I am going to do. Only keep your own counsel. I
perceive that, though a plain countryman, you are by no means
deficient in tact and understanding. If sending these things to you
gives me pleasure, why should you object? The fact is, Hayward, I
occasionally take an interest in people, and like to do a little for
them. I take an interest in you. Now go home, and a week hence
invite Marg--the young woman and her father, to tea with you. The
rest is in your own hands.'

A question often put to Jim in after times was why it had not
occurred to him at once that the Baron's liberal conduct must have
been dictated by something more personal than sudden spontaneous
generosity to him, a stranger. To which Jim always answered that,
admitting the existence of such generosity, there had appeared
nothing remarkable in the Baron selecting himself as its object. The
Baron had told him that he took an interest in him; and self-esteem,