Mr.Runciman, no doubt, had the best of the bargain, as he generally had in all bargains; but he was a man who liked to be generous when generously treated.

Consequently he almost overdid his neighbour with butter and cream, and occasionally sent in quarters of lamb and sweetbreads to make up the weight.

I don't know that the offerings were particularly valued; but friendship was engendered.

Runciman, too, had his grounds for quarrelling with those who had taken up the management of the Bragton property after the squire's death, and had his own antipathy to the Honourable Mrs.Morton and her grandson, the Secretary of Legation.

When the law-suit was going on he had been altogether on Reginald Morton's side.