But his aspect had changed, and his voice took another note.
'Did you want to speak to me, Adam?
A nice day, isn't it ?' 'I saw you, Sir Henry, from the top of the field, talking to Gregson in the road, and I thought perhaps you'd let me have a few words with you.

You know, sir, this is awfully hard lines.' Sir Henry looked impatient, but the man who had spoken to him was a fine specimen of young manhood--broad-shouldered, clear-eyed, with a natural dignity of manner, not at all a person to be brushed aside.
'I'm sure you can't defend Gregson, Adam,' said Sir Henry, 'you--one of the best farmers in the district! I wish they had put you on the Inspection Committee.' 'Well, they didn't,' said the other, perhaps with a slight emphasis.
'And there's many of us feel, I can assure you, as I do.

Gregson's a poor creature, but he hasn't had quite fair play, Sir Henry--that's what we feel.

And he's been fifteen years on his place.' The man spoke hesitatingly, but strongly.

There was a queer, suppressed hostility in his pleasant blue eyes.
'Fifteen years too long,' interrupted Sir Henry.