"I am much mistaken," resumed Sudbury, quickly, "if that figure in the dark cloak is not he whose evil counsel has spread like a pestilence through the land."
Leicester was not among the leaders, for, disgusted with Oakley's tardiness, he had about an hour before passed the city gates with a large body, to join Tyler. Jack Straw, therefore, had not him to contend with, and a flattering plausible speech in a few minutes procured attention to the following charter:
ONE:"Who fill their pockets at Scott's Float,"By my faith!" said Sir Robert Hales, "these are bold demands, which the sword alone must decide."
THREE:As for himself, his life had been full of hard work and the happiness of endeavour crowned at last by success. Anne Bardon he referred to as an angel, which made Reuben chuckle grimly. He had already had a brief, though he was called to the bar only two years agowhich struck his father as very slow business.
The family at Flightshot consisted now of the Squire, who had nothing against him except his obstinacy, his lady, and his son who was just of age and "the most tedious young rascal" Reuben had ever had to deal with. He drove a motor-car with hideous din up and down the Peasmarsh lanes, and once Odiam had had[Pg 433] the pleasure of lending three horses to pull it home from the Forstal. But his worst crimes were in the hunting field; he had no respect for roots or winter grain or hedges or young spinneys. Twice Reuben had written to his father, through Maude the scribe, and he vowed openly that if ever he caught him at it he'd take a stick to him."I thought maybe you'd lend us some moneyjust fur a timetill we're straight ag?un.""Ohma'am!" said Richard, rising to his feet, and recognising Miss Anne Bardon.And he carried a prayer from the lad of the Manor,"Yesyoublind, crazy with your ambition, repulsive and alone in it. Don't you see?"
