“I cannot say. They have not been like the young larks in the fable. These were alarmed when they overheard the farmer and his sons discuss the cutting of the corn. But the men have been forewarned and have taken no notice of the warnings. Now they are bewildered and alarmed because they are turned off.” “Something must be done for them.” “I have been considering the cutting of a new road to the proposed station; but the position of the station cannot be determined till Saltren has consented to sell Chillacot, and he is obstinate and stupid about it.” “Then you cannot cut it till you know where the station will be?” “Exactly; and Captain Saltren is obstructive. I am not at all sure that his right to the land could be maintained. I strongly suspect that I might reclaim it; but I do not wish any unpleasantness.” “Of course not. Is the road necessary?” “Not exactly necessary; but I suppose work for the winter must be found for the men. As we have not gone to town this season, and if, as I propose, we abandon our projected tour to the Italian lakes in the autumn, I daresay we can manage both the road and the school-room; but I need not tell you, Julia, that I have had heavy losses. My Irish property brings me in not a groat. I have lost heavily through the failure of the Occidental Bank, and I have reduced my rents. I am sorry for the men. Cornish mining is bad, or the fellows might have gone to Cornwall. Perhaps if I find them work on the new road, mines may look up next year.” “Arminell has been speaking to me about Samuel Ceely. She wants him taken on,” said her ladyship. “She will pay for him out of her own pocket.” Lord Lamerton’s mouth twitched. “Arminell has asked me why I should have been allowed two Lady Lamertons, and he not one Mrs. Ceely.” “Arminell is an odd girl,” said her ladyship. “But I am thankful to find her take some interest in the poor. It is a new phase in her life.” “It seems to me,” said Lord Lamerton, “that you and Armie are alike in one particular, and unlike in another. You both puzzle your brains with questions beyond your calibre, you with theological, she with social questions; but you are unlike in this, that you take your perplexities easily, Arminell goes into a fever over hers.” “It is a bitter sorrow to me that I cannot influence her,” said Lady Lamerton humbly. “But I believe that no one devoid of definite opinions could acquire power over her. I see that so much can be said, and said with justice on all sides of every question, that all my opinions remain, and ever will remain, in abeyance.” “I sincerely trust that the minx will not fall under the influence of those who are opinionated.” “Arminell is young, vehement, and, as is usual with the young, indisposed to make allowance for those who oppose what commends itself to her mind, or for those who do not leap at conclusions with the same activity as herself.”