so profitable. Something was also said of other shearings to which
Stephen must go, if he would assure his claim to be "top-shearer," and
of the wool-factories which the most astute statesmen were beginning to
build.

"If I were a younger man, I'd be in with them," said Latrigg. "I'd spin
and weave my own fleeces, and send them to Leeds market, with no
go-between to share my profits." And Steve put in a sensible word now
and then, and passed the berry-cake and honey and cream; and withal met
Charlotte's eyes, and caught her smiles, and was as happy as love and
hope could make him.

After tea the squire wished to go; but Latrigg said, "Smoke one pipe
with me Sandal," and they went into the porch together. Then Steve and
Charlotte sauntered about the garden, or, leaning on the stone wall,
looked down into the valley, or away off to the hills. Many things they
said to each other which seemed to mean so little, but which meant so
much when love was the interpreter. For Charlotte was eighteen and
Stephen twenty-two; and when mortals still so young are in love, they
are quite able to create worlds out of nothing.

After a while the squire lifted his eyes, and took in the bit of
landscape which included them. The droop of the young heads towards each
other, and their air of happy confidence, awakened a vague suspicion in
his heart. Perhaps Latrigg was conscious of it; for he said, as if in
answer to the squire's thought, "Steve will have all that is mine. It's
a deal easier to die, Sandal, when you have a fine lad like Steve to
leave the old place to."

"Steve is in the female line. That's a deal different to having sons.