Among the affairs Bulstrode had to care for, was the management of the farm at Stone Court in case of his absence; and on this as well as on all other matters connected with any houses and land he possessed in or about Middlemarch, he had consulted Caleb Garth.  Like every one else who had business of that sort, he wanted to get the agent who was more anxious for his employer’s interests than his own.  With regard to Stone Court, since Bulstrode wished to retain his hold on the stock, and to have an arrangement by which he himself could, if he chose, resume his favorite recreation of superintendence, Caleb had advised him not to trust to a mere bailiff, but to let the land, stock, and implements yearly, and take a proportionate share of the proceeds.

“May I trust to you to find me a tenant on these terms, Mr. Garth?” said Bulstrode.  “And will you mention to me the yearly sum which would repay you for managing these affairs which we have discussed together?”

“I’ll think about it,” said Caleb, in his blunt way.  “I’ll see how I can make it out.”

If it had not been that he had to consider Fred Vincy’s future, Mr. Garth would not probably have been glad of any addition to his work, of which his wife was always fearing an excess for him as he grew older.  But on quitting Bulstrode after that conversation, a very alluring idea occurred to him about this said letting of Stone Court.  What if Bulstrode would agree to his placing Fred Vincy there on the understanding that he, Caleb Garth, should be responsible for the management?  It would be an excellent schooling for Fred; he might make a modest income there, and still have time left to get knowledge by helping in other business.  He mentioned his notion to Mrs. Garth with such evident delight that she could not bear to chill his pleasure by expressing her constant fear of his undertaking too much.

“The lad would be as happy as two,” he said, throwing himself back in his chair, and looking radiant, “if I could tell him it was all settled.  Think; Susan!  His mind had been running on that place for years before old Featherstone died.  And it would be as pretty a turn of things as could be that he should hold the place in a good industrious way after all—­by his taking to business.  For it’s likely enough Bulstrode might let him go on, and gradually buy the stock.  He hasn’t made up his mind, I can see, whether or not he shall settle somewhere else as a lasting thing.  I never was better pleased with a notion in my life.  And then the children might be married by-and-by, Susan.”

“You will not give any hint of the plan to Fred, until you are sure that Bulstrode would agree to the plan?” said Mrs. Garth, in a tone of gentle caution.  “And as to marriage, Caleb, we old people need not help to hasten it.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” said Caleb, swinging his head aside.  “Marriage is a taming thing.  Fred would want less of my bit and bridle.  However, I shall say nothing till I know the ground I’m treading on.  I shall speak to Bulstrode again.”