His object was ostensibly business: now it was a horse to buy, now a fat bullock or sheep; now it was an acre or two of wood that was to be cut.
The people of the mansion were so much from home that their existence was almost forgotten, and they were spoken of vaguely as 'on the Continent.' There was, in fact, a lack of ready-money, perhaps from the accumulation of settlements, that reduced the nominal income of the head to a tithe of what it should have been.
Yet they were too proud to have in the modern builder, the modern upholsterer, and, most dreadful of all, the modern 'gardener,' to put in French sashes, gilding and mirrors, and to root up the fine old yew hedges and level the grand old trees.

Such is the usual preparation before an advertisement appears that a mansion of 'historic association,' and 'replete with every modern convenience,' is to let, with some thousand of acres of shooting, &c.
They still kept up an establishment of servants--after a fashion--who did much as they pleased.

Dickon was a great favourite.

As for myself, a mere dreamy lad, I could go into the woods and wander as I liked, which was sufficient.

But I recollect the immense kitchen very well, and the polished relics of the ancient turnspit machinery.