"Well, between ourselves, he does--that is, if he can get rid of it by private treaty. Naturally, he does not want the matter talked about. I understand there is a very valuable stone quarry in one corner of the estate." "There is a quarry," Ralph answered slowly, for his thoughts were intent on another matter, "but whether it is very valuable or not I cannot say. I should judge it is not of great value, or the squire would not want to sell the freehold." "When a man is compelled to raise a large sum of money there is frequently for him no option." "And is that the case with Sir John?" "There can be no doubt whatever that he is hard up. His life interest in the Hamblyn estate is, I fancy, mortgaged to the hilt. If he can sell Hillside Farm at the price he is asking for it, he will have some ready cash to go on with." "What is the price he names?" "Twenty years' purchase on the net rental--the same on the mineral dues." "There are no mineral dues," Ralph said quickly, and his thoughts flew back in a moment to that conversation he had with his father. "Well, quarry dues, then," Sir John said, with a smile. "And is your friend likely to purchase?" Ralph questioned. "I believe he would like the farm. But he is a cautious man, and is anxious to find out all he can before he strikes a bargain." "And will he be guided by your advice?" "In the main he will." "Then, if you are his friend, you will advise him to make haste slowly." "You think the farm is not worth the money?" "To the ordinary investor I am sure it is not. To the man who wants it for some sentimental reason the case is different." "What do you mean by that?" "Well, if I were a rich man, for instance, I might be disposed to give a good deal more for it than it is worth. You see, I helped to reclaim the land from the waste. I know every bush and tree on the farm. I remember every apple tree being planted. I love the place, for it was my home. My father died there----" "Then why don't you buy it?" interrupted Sir John. Ralph laughed. "You might as well ask me why I don't buy the moon," he said. "If I had been allowed to go on with my present work I might have been able to buy it in time. Now it is quite out of the question." "That is a pity," Sir John said meditatively. "I don't know that it is," Ralph answered. "One cannot live on sentiment." "And yet sentiment plays a great part in one's life." "No doubt it does, but with the poor the first concern is how to live." "Then, sentiment apart, you honestly think the place is not worth the money?" "I'm sure it isn't. Jenkins told me not long ago that if he could not get his rent lowered he should give up the farm." "And what about the quarry?" "It will be worked out in half a dozen years at the outside." "You think so?" "I do honestly. I've no desire to do harm to the squire, though God knows he has been no friend to me. But twenty years' purchase at the present rental and dues would be an absurd price."