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

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

The Master of Greylands. 25 head’s no better than a sieve if it has much to carry. Ask for spinach and cauliflower, and you'd get served up carrots and turnips.” ‘Then I cannot do better than leave it to you,” said the young man, with a pleasant laugh. “I should like some fish out of that glorious” sea. Can I have an English plum-pudding ?” “ An English plum-pudding ! Good gracious, sir, it could not be made and boiled.” ‘That will do for to-morrow, then.” Mrs. Bent departed, calling to Molly as she went. The inn kept but two servants; Molly, and a man; the latter chiefly attending to out-of-door things: horses, pigs, and such like.* When further help was needed, it could be had from the village. “ This must be a healthy spot,” remarked the stranger, taking a chair without ceremony at John Bent’s fire. “It is very open.” ‘Uncommon healthy, sir. A bit bleak in winter, when the wind’s in the east: as it is to-day.” ‘“‘ Have you many good families residing about here? ” “Qnly one, sir. The Castlemaines.” “The Castlemaines ? ” ‘An old family who have lived here for many a year. You'd pass their place, sir, not long before getting out here: a house of grey-stone, on your left hand. It is called Greylands’ Rest.” ‘‘T have heard of Greylands’ Rest—and also of the Castlemaines.. It belonged, I think, to old Anthony Castlemaine.” ‘Tt did, sir. His son has it now.” ‘*T fancied he had more than one son.” “ He had three, sir. The eldest, Mr. Basil, went abroad and never was heard of after: leastways, nothing direct from him. The second Mr. James, has Greylands’ Rest. He always lived there with his father and when the old gentleman died, it came to him.” “ By will?” *‘ Ah, sir, that’s what no soul can tell. All sorts of surmises went about ; but nobody knows how it was.” A pause. ‘* And the third son? Where its he?” ‘The third’s Mr. Peter. He is a banker at Stilborough.” “Is he nich ?” John Bent laughed at the question. ‘Rich, sir? Why it’s said he could a’most buy up the world. He has one daughter; a beautiful young lady, who’s going to be married to Mr. Blake-Gordon son of Sir Richard. Many thought that Mr. Castlemaine—the present master of Greylands’ Rest—would have liked to get her for his son. But——” In burst Mrs. Bent, a big cooking apron tied on over her gown. She looked slightly surprised at seeing the stranger seated there; but said nothing. Unlocking the corner cupboard, and throwing wide its doors, she began searching for something on the shelves. “ Here you are, Mrs, Bent! Busy as usual.” ECOMicoOOKS.CoOm