The Sandals of past centuries were welcome, they gave dignity to his
claims; but the last squire, and his son Harry Sandal, only reminded him
of circumstances he felt it more comfortable to forget. So, during the
long, dreary days of midwinter, he and Sophia occupied themselves very
pleasantly in selecting styles of furniture, and colors of draperies,
and in arranging for a full suite of Oriental rooms, which were to
perpetuate in pottery and lacquerware, Indian bronzes and mattings,
Chinese screens and cabinets, the Anglo-Indian possessor of the old
Cumberland estate.
Even pending these alterations, others were in progress. Every family
arrangement was changed in some respect. The hour for breakfast had been
fixed at what Julius called a civilized time. This, of course, delayed
every other meal; yet the servants, who had grumbled at over-work under
the old authority, had not a complaint to make under the new. For the
present master and mistress of Sandal were not people who cared for
complaints. "If you can do the work, Ann, you may stay," said Sophia to
the dissatisfied cook; "if not, the squire will pay you your due wages.
He has a friend in London whose cook would like a situation in the
country." After which explanation Ann behaved herself admirably, and
never found her work hard, though dinner was two hours later, and the
supper dishes were not sent in until eleven o'clock.
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