The Argosy — page 257: what you’re looking at

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

4 il n : Pr - , 4 Z f 238 Five Thousand a Year. the ore is in the mines, and must be made to realise. We shall soon have money.” | ‘So we have thought for the past six months,” she ventured to say, ‘‘and it does not come. By discharging two of the servants, we should lessen expenses so far. It will be better to do it.” “Yes ! and to stop our credit at once by letting it be known in the neighbourhood that we are compelled to curtail our establishment ! You cannot see an inch beyond your nose, Margaret !” Mrs. Grainger thought she could see much farther, but did not con- test the point. ‘‘ They are asking for their wages,” she said. ‘They must wait,” was his authoritative answer. ‘“‘ And there is something else being asked for. Though really, Adam, I cannot bear to speak of these things, you take me up so sharply.” ‘‘ Not you, Margaret,” he said, in a softer tone; “‘ but these stupid people vex me with their folly. What is it that is being asked for ?” “The rent,” she said, in a low tone. “The rent! What, old Barker?” ‘He called when you were gone to the City yesterday. He said he was sorry to be pressing, but he feared you had got into a mess that you would not readily get out of, and of course he must look to his own interest. He spoke civilly.” “ Civilly you call it?” foamed Mr. Grainger. ‘“ What did he say— that I had got into a mess?” ‘““ Mess or mesh; I did not rightly hear, and did not ask him. I don’t think he will wait much longer, Adam. Three quarters are owing ” now. ‘The insolent old miser! Afraid of three quarters’ of a year’s rent ! —from me/ He must have taken leave of his senses.” ‘* Adam, I do not think you see things quite in their right light. If we were as we used to be, people would not mind waiting years for their money: wait, and never ask for it. But it is the fact of your not doing anything just now, of your not being in a way of making money, that alarms them. If ‘“‘T won’t talk with you any longer, Margaret,” impatiently interrupted Mr. Grainger ; ‘‘ you are as senseless as they are. Not in any way of making money, when you know that the mining operations are going on, and that thousands must be on their road to us! I am astonished at your want of foresight, Margaret.” He went out of the room as he spoke, encountering one of the servants outside. ‘* Mr. Little has called, sir,” she said. ‘‘ He is inthe dining-room.” ‘Little! Oh, that’s right: the very man I should like to see. So you have returned ?”’ he exclaimed, shaking hands with his guest. “Came up last night.” “ And how go on things in Cornwall ? ” Eomicbooks.com