CHAPTER XXV.
HOME TRUTHS FOR LIONEL.
The cottages down Clay Lane were ill-drained.

It might be nearer the truth to say they were not drained at all.

As is the case with many another fine estate besides Verner's Pride, while the agricultural land was well drained, no expense spared upon it, the poor dwellings had been neglected.

Not only in the matter of draining, but in other respects, were these habitations deficient: but that strong terms are apt to grate unpleasingly upon the ear, one might say shamefully deficient.

The consequence was that no autumn ever went over, scarcely any spring, but somebody would be down with ague, with low fever; and it was reckoned a fortunate season if a good many were not prostrate.
The first time that Lionel Verner took a walk down Clay Lane after his illness was a fine day in October.