13/22 "I prefer the old way myself." "Just so, sir," said the landlord, with an approving nod. "Well, what with the money going here and there and everywhere, they found when the present squire's father died that there was very little left; and worse than all, that some of the land was sold, and what remained was heavily mortgaged. It's what often happens to old families, sir, more's the pity!" "Yes," said Stafford. "And is the present squire like his father ?" "No, sir, not a bit," replied the landlord, with a thoughtful and somewhat puzzled frown. |