For he had not gone far before he turned, and called back,
"Bring Steve into the house, Charlotte. He will stay, and have a bit of
supper with us, no doubt." Perhaps the lovers made the way into the
house a little roundabout. But Sandal was not an unjust man; and having
given them the opportunity, he did not blame them for taking it. Besides
he could trust Charlotte. Though the heavens fell, he could trust
Charlotte.
During supper the conversation turned again to Stephen's future plans.
Whether the squire liked to admit the fact or not, he was deeply
interested in them; and he listened carefully to what the young man
said.
"If I am going to trust to sheep, squire, then I may as well have plenty
to trust to. I think of buying the Penghyll 'walk,' and putting a
thousand on it."
"My song, Stephen!"
"I can manage them quite well. I shall get more shepherds, and there
are new ways of doing things that lighten labor very much. I have been
finding out all about them. I think of taking three thousand fleeces, at
the very least, to Bradford next summer."
"Two hundred years ago somebody thought of harnessing a flock of wild
geese for a trip to the moon. They never could do it. Eh? What?"
Stephen laughed a little uncomfortably. "That was nonsense, squire."
"It was 'almighty youth,' Stephen. The young think they can do every
thing. In a few years they do what they can and what they may.
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