Part 33 (1/2)

”'Rather glad' hardly seems to describe it; you looked overjoyed.”

”Don't be severe, Millicent. Let me explain. Since Lisle came over, nothing has been quite the same. He got hold of you and Nasmyth and the others, and in a way alienated you from me. I don't mean he did it with deliberate intention, but he took up your time and monopolized your interest. I've seen much less of both of you.”

”And, of late, of the Crestwicks.”

”Oh,” he returned in his most casual manner, ”I shouldn't have had much more of their company in any case. Jim's going to Canada and Bella to Suss.e.x. I understand from Marple that it will be some time before she visits us again.”

Millicent was glad to hear it, but she made no comment.

”It's unreasonable to blame Lisle,” Gladwyne went on; ”though he did make some unpleasantness with Batley; but I have had so many annoyances and troubles since he arrived. Everything has been going wrong and I can't disa.s.sociate him from the unfortunate tendency.”

He sat where the light fell upon his face, and Millicent, studying it, was stirred to compa.s.sion, which was always ready with her. He looked hara.s.sed and nervous, as if he had borne a heavy strain, and she knew that the accident had preyed upon his mind. That, she thought, was to his credit. In addition to this, she had suspected that he was threatened with financial difficulties. The man had a dangerous gift of rousing women's interest and sympathy.

”I'm sorry,” she said with sincere feeling. ”You should go away for a time. You need a change.”

”I've thought of it; but I'm afraid I've been neglecting things lately and there's a good deal that needs straightening up--farm buildings to be looked to, the stream to d.y.k.e in the low ground, and that draining scheme.”

It was not all acting; he had meant to give those matters some attention when he found it convenient, and she was far from suspicious and was quick to take the most favorable view of any one. That he recognized his duties and intended to discharge them gratified her.

”I think,” she told him, ”that if you undertake these things in earnest, you'll be better for the occupation; and they certainly need looking after.”

”I've been slack,” he owned. ”I seemed to lose interest and, as I said, I've had difficulties to distract me.”

He had struck the right note again. Anything of the nature of a confession or appeal for sympathy seldom failed to stir her.

”In fact,” he resumed, ”I'm not clear of troubles now. If I do half that I'm asked to do, it will nearly ruin me, and I don't know where to begin.

I haven't any great confidence in Grierson's advice; he doesn't seem to grip things readily.”

”The trouble is that he has his favorites,” she said bluntly. ”I don't think he suffers from any lack of understanding.”

”What do you mean?”

It was unpleasant, but she had courage and the man was doing Clarence harm.

”Well, there are people who can get very much what they ask Grierson for, in the shape of repairs and improvements, whether they need it or not.”

”At my expense, while the rest get less than they should have?”

”A number of your tenants have got practically nothing for some years.

It's false economy; you'll have to lay out twice as much as would keep them here satisfied, when they leave you in disgust.”

She supplied him with several instances of neglect, and a few clever suggestions, and he looked at her in admiration which was only partly a.s.sumed.

”What an administrator you would have made!” he exclaimed. ”The place would thrive in your hands and everybody be content. It's obvious, quite apart from his good qualities, why George was so popular.”

Millicent did not suspect him of an intent to flatter her, and she recognized that there was truth in what he said. She knew everybody on the estate and knew their most pressing needs, and she undoubtedly possessed the power of management. She had a keen discernment and could arrive at a quick and just decision.

”Clarence,” she said, ”I shouldn't advise you to take the business altogether out of Grierson's hands. He's honest, so far as you are concerned, and one or two of the hardest things he did were by your orders.”