The Argosy — page 35: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Edina. 25 “ Did he—” began the stranger, and then broke off suddenly, as if in doubt whether or not to put the question: but in a moment went on firmly. “ Did he ever live at Trennach in Cornwall?” ““Trennach? Yes, sir, I think that’s where he did live. Yes, I’m sure that is the name. He was in practice there with another uncle, one Dr. Raynor, and might have stopped there and come into the practice after him. A rare good opening for him, it’s said: but he preferred to come elsewhere.” “ Preferred to travel and see the world,” spoke the stranger cynically. “Are Major Raynor’s revenues good ones?” “Well, sir, I know in Mrs. Atkinson’s time this estate was said to bring in a clear two thousand a year. And Major Raynor had of course an income before he came into it: but that, I hear, is only an annuity and goes from him at his death.” “Then, if his revenues amount to that—from two to three thousand a year—how is it that he does not do the repairs necessary on the estate, and keep up the land, and help to ameliorate the condition of the wretched serfs about him?” demanded the stranger, staring at Jetty. ° . Jetty shook his head. “TI don’t think it is the will that’s wanted,” replied he. “The Major seems to be thoroughly good-hearted : and Lamb says he is one of the easiest masters he could ever wish to serve. No, it is not the will, sir, that is wanting.” ‘* What is it then? The money?” Jetty nodded his head in the affirmative. “They live at such a rate, you see: and it’s said the Major had a lot of back debts to pay when he came here. Altogether, he has nothing to spare.” “Then he ought to have,” asserted the Tiger, tapping thoughtfully at his pipe, that lay on the table. “ This young Frank Raynor’s wife, who is lying ill: had she no money?” “No, sir. Her family have plenty, I expect, for they live at some grand place down in Cornwall. But she has none. It was a runaway match that she and Mr. Frank made, so she couldn’t expect any.” The Tiger nodded his head two or three times, as if in self.commune. “I see,” said he: “these Raynors are an improvident set altogether. Thoughtless, cruel, selfish, upstart, and purse-proud. From what little I have noticed during the few days I have been here, and from what I hear you say, that is the impression they make upon me.” He took his pipe off the table as he spoke, knocked the ashes out of it, and putit in itscase. An intimation, John Jetty thought, that their social hour was at an end: and he went away, respectfully wishing good evening to his lodger. Easter was over ; and the time for going back to Oxford for the coming term was past. Charles Raynor had not gone to keep it. He had to con- fess to the Major that he did not care to go back without a ‘good Sum of Gommichookecon)