Hubert laughed again; these violent outbreaks of temper afforded him only amusement. Aaron sat down, his hands trembling, to finish his tea. Eliza had the slice of toast on the table then, and was buttering it. "Look here, grandfather," said Hubert. "The Squire chooses to admit this lawyer from London, and you cannot set up your will against his; but if you have so great an objection to the visit, why not be away while it takes place. For this week past you have been talking of going into Nullington to buy some hay and clover; go in to-morrow morning and buy it then." Aaron, who had a great notion of keeping his grandson in order, stared wrathfully at this. "And who is going to listen to the advice of a young jackanapes like you?" he demanded--which caused Eliza, still buttering the toast, to hide a laugh. "The world's coming to a pretty pass, young man, when such as you must command your elders and betters!" "Nay, I don't seek to command; you'd not let me if I did," returned Hubert. "And if I advise, it is only for the general tranquillity. The Squire intends to receive these lawyers--I dare say there will be two of them--and it won't do for you to make a disturbance when they come. You seem to forget how weak and ill the master is; how often Jago has told you that freedom from worry is his best chance. Therefore I say, go off to Nullington after breakfast, grandfather, and let the visit take place in your absence." Aaron growled for a minute or two. "It's a shame!" he burst forth again; "a cruel shame. Here's all the work of the birthday got over, and now this bother springs up! Hasn't the master got to be kept quiet, I'd ask you? Who can answer for it that this interview with a pack of rascally lawyers won't--won't----" "Do him harm, you were about to say," put in Hubert quickly, at the sudden stoppage. "Well, we can guard against that. Jago must, of course, be present to take care of his pulse. You go off in the morning to Nullington, and leave the house to peace and quietness," concluded Hubert, as he took up the letter, and turned to quit the room. "Be you not going to sit down and have your tea, Hubert dear?" called out the old lady, who had not dared to interfere before. "Tea? Oh, I shall take that by-and-by." In one of the passages, on his way to the Squire's rooms, Hubert met Jago. "What are you laughing at?" asked the Doctor, noting the more than smile on the young man's lips. "At old granddad. You never saw him in such a tantrum. Left to himself, he'd be for pitching water on the head of this lawyer when he comes to the door; ay, and upon my word, I'm not sure but he would do even more than that. Finely he went on, to the edification of one of the house-wenches. I advised him to betake himself to Nullington in the morning to buy his corn and clover." Dr. Jago made no particular reply. "This lawyer who is coming," said he, "is he well acquainted with the Squire?"