usual soft, modulated intonation and polished language, the
distinctness and deliberation taking off all air of rattle, and
rendering his words more impressive.

'Indeed! is there much distress at Marksedge?' said Mrs. Ponsonby.

'They have gifts with our own poor at Christmas,' said Lord
Ormersfield, 'but they are a defiant, ungrateful set, always in
distress by their own fault.'

'What cause have they for gratitude?' exclaimed his son. 'For being
turned out of house and home? for the three miles' walk to their
daily work! Yes, it is the fact. The dozen families left here, with
edicts against lodgers, cannot suffice for the farmer's work; and all
Norris's and Beecher's men have to walk six miles every day of their
lives, besides the hard day's work. They are still farther from
their parish, they are no one's charge, they have neither church nor
school, and whom should we blame for their being lawless?'

'It used to be thought a very good thing for the parish,' said Mrs.
Frost, looking at her niece. 'I remember being sorry for the poor
people, but we did not see things in the light in which Louis puts
it.'

'Young men like to find fault with the doings of their elders,' said
Lord Ormersfield.

'Nothing can make me regard it otherwise than as a wicked sin!' said
Louis.