folk who must have abused your simplicity: but I am a justice of the
peace, and I will not have laws broken on my land. If this thing
should happen again, I shall remember that you have no regular or
lawful tenure of this holding, and put you forth from it."

He waited, but a threat always made silent resistance easy to
Steadfast, and there was no answer.

Mr. Elmwood, however, let that pass, for he was not a hard or a
fanatical man, and he knew that to hold such a service was not such
an easy matter that it was likely to be soon repeated. He looked
round at the well-mended fences, the clean ground, and the tokens of
intelligent industry around, and the clean homespun shirt sleeves
that spoke of the notable manager at home. 'You are an industrious
fellow, my good lad," he said, "how long have you had this farm to
yourself?"

"Getting on for five years, your honour," said Steadfast.

"And is that your brother?"

"Yes, please your honour," picking Ben up in his arms to prevent the
barley from being pulled up by way of helping him.

"How many of you are there?"

"Five of us, sir, but my eldest brother is in Captain Venn's troop."

"So I heard, and what is this about a child besides?"