"Well, well, let us put it this way," said Mr. Watson, good-naturedly. "There’s some that would call Mr. Purdie a hard man; and there’s some that would call him an excellent factor, business-like, thoroughgoing, and skilled in his work. It’s not a nice position to be in at the best; it’s not possible to please everybody. And there’s different ways of dealing with people." All this sounded very enigmatic. Mary could not in the least understand what he meant. "I wish you to speak plainly, Mr. Watson," said she. "You may be sure it will be in absolute confidence." He considered for a moment. Then he said: "It’s of little consequence to me. Friend Purdie and I get on very well, considering; and besides I have my lease. But I’ll just give ye an instance of what has happened on this estate, and you’ll judge for yourself whether it’s likely the tenants would come to you for a reduction of rent, or ask ye to interfere in any way whatever. It was about four years ago that one of the crofts over at Cruagan fell vacant. Very well. Then Mr. Purdie would have it that the pasture of that croft should be taken by the other Cruagan crofters, each one paying his share of the rent; while the arable land of the croft should be added to the Glen Sanna farm, which was also vacant just then. The Cruagan crofters objected to that arrangement; Mr. Purdie insisted; and at last the crofters sent a petition to Mr. Stanley, asking to have the arable land of the croft as well, or else to be let alone. I am not saying anything against your uncle, Miss Stanley." "But I want to get at the truth of the story, Mr. Watson," said Mary, firmly. "That is the main point. What happened?" "I may explain that your uncle never interfered with Mr. Purdie," the farmer continued, rather apologetically, "and that’s no to be wondered at. Many landlords make it a rule not to interfere with their factor, for of course he’s doing the best he can for the estate, and knows about it better than they can know themselves. Then what happened, do ye say? What happened was this—at the very next term every crofter that had signed the petition was served with a notice to quit; and that was only withdrawn when they undertook to pay, each man of them, £3 a year additional rent—that is 15s. for their share of the added pasture, and £2 5s. as a fine for having objected to Mr. Purdie’s arrangements. That’s just what happened, Miss Stanley." Mary was silent for a second or so—looking towards Käthchen, her eyes full of indignation. "Why, it is one of the most abominable pieces of tyranny I ever heard of!" she exclaimed. And then she turned to Mr. Watson. "If people are treated like that, can you wonder if the Land League should find it easy to put revolutionary ideas into their head?" "At all events," said Mr. Watson, with a shrewd and cautious smile, "ye will understand that they are not likely to apply to you for any lowering of rent. They know the consequences."