"I wouldn't decide too hastily about disposing of the land. Although
there's always a good deal of discontent there is really very little
trouble here. In fact, until agitators like O'Connell came amongst
us we had everything pretty peaceful. We'll dispose of him in short
order."

"Do. Do. Make an example of him."

"Trust us to do that," said Roche. After a moment he added: "To
refer again to selling the estate you would get very little for it.
It can't depreciate much more, and there is always the chance it may
improve. Some of the people are quite willing to work--"

"ARE they? They've not shown any willingness to me."

"Oh, no. They wouldn't."

"What? Not to their landlord?"

"You'd be the LAST they'd show it to. They're strange people in many
ways until you get to know them. Now there are many natural
resources that might be developed if some capital were put into
them."

"My new steward discouraged me about doing that. He said it might be
ten years before I got a penny out."

"Your NEW steward?"