Indeed, on this evening he was more active than was usual with him.

He got up from his arm-chair, and came to the table, in order that he might pore over the map of the estate with them; for they were dividing the property into districts, and seeing how best the poor might be visited in their own localities.
And then, as he did so, he became liberal.

Liberal, indeed, he always was; but now he made offers of assistance more than his son had dared to ask; and they were all busy, contented, and in a great degree joyous--joyous, though their work arose from the contiguity of such infinite misery.

But what can ever be more joyous than efforts made for lessening misery?
During all this time Miss Letty was fast asleep in her own arm-chair.
But let no one on that account accuse her of a hard heart; for she had nearly walked her old legs off that day in going about from cabin to cabin round the demesne.
"But we must consult Somers about that mill," said Sir Thomas.
"Oh, of course," said Herbert; "I know how to talk Somers over." This was added _sotto voce_ to his mother and the girls.

Now Mr.
Somers was the agent on the estate.
This mill was to be at Berryhill, a spot also on Sir Thomas's property, but in a different direction from Gortnaclough.