’Yes, she said so.  But, to tell you the truth, sir, I do not like the risk of living beyond my assured income.’

‘But if I justify it?’

’I do not wish to complain, sir, but you have made me understand that you can, and that in certain circumstances, you will, at a moment, withdraw what you give me.  Since this was said to me, I have felt myself to be unsafe in such a house as Cosby Lodge.’

The archdeacon did not know how to explain.  He had intended that the real explanation should be given by Mrs Grantly, and had been anxious to return to his old relations with his son without any exact terms on his own part.  But his son was, as he thought, awkward, and would drive him to some speech that was unnecessary.  ’You need not be unsafe there at all,’ he said, half angrily.

‘I must be unsafe if I am not sure of my income.’

’Your income is not in any danger.  But you had better speak to your mother about it.  For myself, I think I may say that I have never yet behaved to any of you with any harshness.  A son should, at any rate, not be offended because a father thinks that he is entitled to some consideration for what he does.’

’There are some points on which a son cannot give way even to his father, sir.’

’You had better speak to your mother, Henry.  She will explain to you what has taken place.  Look at that plantation.  You don’t remember it, but every tree there was planted since you were born.  I bought that farm from old Mr Thorne, when he was purchasing St Ewold’s Downs, and it was the first bit of land I ever had of my own.’

‘That is not in Plumstead, I think?’

’No:  this is Plumstead, where we stand, but that’s in Eiderdown.  The parishes run in and out here.  I never bought any other land as cheap as I bought that.’

‘And did old Thorne make a good purchase at St Ewold’s?’

’Yes, I fancy he did.  It gave him the whole of the parish, which was a great thing.  It is astonishing how land has risen in value since that, and yet rents are not so very much higher.  They who buy land now can’t have above two-and-a-half for their money.’

‘I wonder people are so fond of land,’ said the major.

’It is a comfortable feeling to know that you stand on your own ground.  Land is about the only thing that can’t fly away.  And then, you see, land gives so much more than the rent.  It gives position and influence and political power, to say nothing about the game.  We’ll go back now.  I daresay your mother will be at home by this time.’