She looked at him, and there was a gleam of derision in
her narrowed eyes. But he drew himself up, and said as he passed her,
"You've nothing to be afraid of. I've settled things so that I'm not
bankrupt yet. And you shall have your share--in full."
And he strode in, a broad-shouldered, upright figure, looking calmly
at all men, that all might see he was not the man to be crushed by a
reverse.
Late in the day the chestnut, Bijou, was put up for sale. He was led
across the courtyard in a halter, and as he came he stopped for a
moment, and threw up his head, and neighed, and from the stables the
other horses neighed in answer. Was it a farewell? Did he remember
the day, years ago, when he had come there first, dancing on his
white-stockinged feet, full of youth and strength?
But by the woodshed there stood as usual a little grey old man, busy
sawing and chopping, as if nothing at all was the matter. One master
left, another took his place; one needed firewood, it seemed to him, as
much as the other. And if they came and gave him notice--why, thank the
Lord, he was stone deaf. Thud, thud, the sound of the axe went on.
A young man came driving up the hill, a florid-faced young man, with
very blue eyes. He took off his overcoat in the passage, revealing a
long black frock coat beneath and a large-patterned waistcoat. It was
Uthoug junior, general agent for English tweeds. He had taken no part
in his brother-in-law's business affairs, and so he was able to help his
father in this crisis.
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