The public recognition of young Harry Hallam as the future squire also
gave great satisfaction. After all, no stranger and foreigner was to
have rule over them; for Richard they certainly regarded in that light.
"He might be a Hallam to start wi'," said Peter Crag, "but he's been
that way mixed up wi' French and such, thet t' Hallam in him is varry
hard to find." All the tenants, upon the advent of Richard, had stood
squarely upon their dignity; they had told each other that they'd pay
rent only to a Hallam, and they had quite determined to resent any
suggestion made by Richard, and to disregard any order he gave.
But it was quickly evident that Richard did not intend to take any
more interest in Hallam than he did in the Church glebe and tithes,
and that the only thing he desired was the bride he had waited so long
for. The spring was far advanced, however, before the wedding-day was
fixed; for there was much to provide for, and many things to arrange,
in view of the long-continued absences which would be almost certain.
The Whaleys, urged by a lover, certainly hurried their work to a degree
which astonished all their subordinates; but yet February had passed
before all the claims against Antony Hallam had been collected. The
debt, as debt always is, was larger than had been expected; and twelve
years' income would be exhausted in its liquidation.
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