Does ta understand its value?"
"I am sure I do."
"And thou is proud o' being the daughter o' such land?"
"I love every rood of it."
"Then listen to me. Thy mother gave thee L5,000. It was put out at
interest on thy first birthday, and I hev added a L100 now and then,
as I could see my way clear to do so. Thou hes now L22,000 o' thy
own--a varry tidy fortune. If ta takes Hallam thou must pay down a'
of this to Antony. I'll hev to find t' other L28,000 by a mortgage.
Then I shall sell all t' young timber that's wise to sell, and some o'
Hallam marsh, to pay off t' mortgage. That will take time to do wisely,
and it will be work enough for me for t' balance or my life. But I'll
leave thee Hallam clear if God spare me five years longer, and then
there'll be few women i' England thou need envy."
"Whatever I have is yours, father. Do as you think best. I will try
to learn all about the estate, and I promise you most faithfully to
hold it in a good stewardship for those who shall come after me."
"Give me a kiss, my lass, on that promise. I don't say as a lass can
iver be to Hallam what Antony should hev been; but thou'rt bound to
do thy best."
"And, father, Antony is very clever. Who can tell what he may do? If
a man wants to go up, the door is open to wit and skill and industry.
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