He did not intend to let a purchaser slip through his fingers if he could help it.

At last a bright thought flashed into his mind.

'I'll tell you what we could do,' he said.

'There's a piece of waste land the other end of the village that we've never been able to do much with, in consequence of its being so swampy.

If you liked, we could run you up a dozen cottages on that, cheap--it would be all the better their being a bit ramshackle and unhealthy--and get some poor people for you, and put into them.' "The lady reflected upon the idea, and it struck her as a good one.
"'You see,' continued my cousin, pushing his advantage, 'by adopting this method you would be able to select your own poor.