If he didn't charge so much for his coal, Askew would not have cut the peat, and the children would not have been sent to gather wood.

Then Dowthwaite might not have grumbled about his wall; he feels the farmers have not been treated justly, and I imagine he blames you." Osborn knitted his brows.

"Then it's an example of the fellow's wrong-headed attitude! He and one or two others are treated better than they deserve, and would not be satisfied with anything I did.

If you had to manage the estate, pay extortionate taxes, and make the unnecessary repairs the farmers demand, it would be interesting to see the line you would take." "Perhaps the right line isn't easy," Grace admitted.

"Still, if I wanted a guide, there's the motto of our county town: 'Be just and fear not.'" Osborn looked at her with indignant surprise, and then shrugged scornfully.