"You are clever and witty--that every one knows--and you like to snap your lock under my eyes and make me wince as the sparks fly out; but I know very well there is no powder in the barrel, and I do not mind. You really must attend to me, brother. There has been so much small-pox about, and it has been so fatal, that upon my word, as a woman, you should lend me your ear." "What has the small-pox to do with my interests?" "Much. Have you made your will, or a settlement of the property?" "What now!" exclaimed Anthony Cleverdon roughly. "You came to scare me with thoughts of small-pox, and want me to draw my will, and provide for you?" "About that latter point I say nothing, though I do feel that I was ill-treated by my father. You had the kernal and I had the rind of the nut." "I dispute that altogether. You are an incumbrance on the estate that I feel heavily." "I am likely to encumber it somewhat longer," said Magdalen, not showing resentment at his brutality. "I do not fear the small-pox. I have had it, and it has marked me; though not so as to disfigure. The Lord forbid!" Observing that her brother was about to make a remark, and being confident that it would be something offensive, she hastily went on: "But what, Tony--what if it were to attack your Anthony? What if it were to take him off? You have but a single son. To whom would Hall go then?" Old Squire Cleverdon started to his feet, and strode, muttering, about the room. "Ah! It is a thought to consider. The Knightons have lost their heir, and he was a fine and lusty youth. Our Anthony is so thoughtless; he runs where he lists, and does not consider that he may be near infection. Please the Lord nothing may happen; but suppose that he were carried off, who would have Hall? Bessie?" "Bessie! Are you mad?" Old Cleverdon put his hands in his breeches-pocket and turned and scowled at his sister. "No. I reckon Bessie would be put off with scant treatment, like myself. Then, Luke?" "Luke!" Cleverdon burst out laughing. "Never a parson here in Hall, if I can help it. A shaveling like he----" "Then, who would have it?" "Not you, if you are aiming thereat," said Cleverdon. "I was not aiming at that. Such a prospect never rose before me. I do not want Hall. I could not manage the estate." "I shall take care you have not the chance." "I have no doubt you will. But consider what are the accidents of life. If you were to lose Anthony----" "But I shall not. Anthony is flourishing, and not a thought of small-pox, or the falling sickness, or the plague about him. He is sound as a bell; so have done with your croak, you raven. I will call up the servants and have in dinner. You can eat, I suppose?"