She
felt rich with the L800 yearly rental of the home farm. And it was
such a delight to have Harry ride by her side; she was so proud of
the fair, bright boy. She loved him so dearly. He had just begun to
study two hours every day with the curate, and to the two women at
the hall it was a great event every morning to watch him away to the
village on his pony, with his books in a leather strap hung at his
saddle-bow. They followed him with their eyes until a turn in the road
hid the white nag and the little figure in a blue velvet suit upon
it from them. For it was Elizabeth's pride to dress the child daintily
and richly as the "young squire of Hallam" ought to dress. She cut
up gladly her own velvets for that purpose, and Martha considered the
clear-starching of his lace collars and ruffles one of her most
important duties.
One morning, at the close of January, Elizabeth had to go to
the village, and she told Harry when his lessons were finished to wait
at the Curate's until she called for him. It was an exquisite day;
cold, but clear and sunny, and there was a particular joy in rapid
riding on such a morning. They took a circuitous route home, a road
which led them through lonely country lanes and across some fields.
The robins were singing a little, and the wrens twittering about the
hawthorn berries on the bare hedges.
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