they lost this money, they would have nothing to live upon, or as
good as nothing. They draw some fifty pounds a year from another
source, and they have their own house--that's all. Ought I to take
this responsibility?"

"I don't hesitate to guarantee," said Sherwood, with glowing
gravity, "that in two years' time their four thousand pounds shall
produce three times what it does now. Only think, my dear fellow!
Jam--think what it means!"

For ten minutes Godfrey rhapsodised on the theme. Warburton was
moved by his eloquence.

"I shall run down to St. Neots," said Will at length.

"Do. And then we'll both of us go down to Bristol. I'm sure you'll
like Applegarth. By the bye, you never went in for astronomy, did
you? I felt ashamed of my ignorance. Why, it's one of the most
interesting subjects a man can study. I shall take it up. One might
have a little observatory of one's own. Do you know Bristol at all?
A beastly place, the town, but perfectly delightful country quite
near at hand. Applegarth lives in an ideal spot--you'll see."

There was a knock at the door and the manager entered. Other
business claimed their attention.