Tom was now in full control of Belle Plain and its resources, and he had little heart for such risks as he had once taken.
"Well, how about the girl, Tom ?" asked Murrell at length, in a low even tone.
"The girl?
Oh, Betty, you mean ?" said Ware, and shifted uneasily in his seat.

"Haven't you got enough on your hands without worrying about her?
She don't like you, haven't I told you that?
Think of some one else for a spell, and you'll find it answers," he urged.
"What do you think is going to happen here if I take your advice?
She'll marry one of these young bloods!" Ware's lips twitched.

"And then, Tom, you'll get your orders to move out, while her husband takes over the management of her affairs.

What have you put by anyhow ?--enough to stock another place ?" "Nothing, not a damn cent!" said Ware.

Murrell laughed incredulously.
"It's so! I've turned it all over--more lands, more niggers, bigger crops each year.