‘Oh, yes, he knows it well enough:  I wish he did not.’

’What he means is, that he must have ample security to cover what he has already advanced before he goes on.  I wish to goodness you had no further need to borrow.  I did think that things were settled last year.’

‘Oh if there’s any difficulty, Umbleby will get it for me.’

‘Yes; and what will you have to pay for it?’

‘I’d sooner pay double that be talked to in this way,’ said the squire, angrily, and, as he spoke, he got up hurriedly from his chair, thrust his hands into his trousers-pockets, walked quickly to the window, and immediately walking back again, threw himself once more into his chair.

‘There are some things a man cannot bear, doctor,’ said he, beating the devil’s tattoo on the floor with one of his feet, ’though God knows I ought to be patient now, for I am made to bear a good many things.  You had better tell Scatcherd that I am obliged to him for his offer, but that I will not trouble him.’

The doctor during this little outburst had stood quite silent with his back to the fireplace and his coat-tails hanging over his arms; but though his voice said nothing, his face said much.  He was very unhappy; he was greatly grieved to find that the squire was so soon again in want of money, and greatly grieved also to find that this want had made him so bitter and unjust.  Mr Gresham had attacked him; but as he was determined not to quarrel with Mr Gresham, he refrained from answering.

The squire also remained silent for a few minutes; but he was not endowed with the gift of silence, and was soon, as it were, compelled to speak again.

‘Poor Frank!’ said he.  ’I could yet be easy about everything if it were not for the injury I have done him.  Poor Frank!’

The doctor advanced a few paces from off the rug, and taking his hand out of his pocket, he laid it gently on the squire’s shoulder.  ’Frank will do very well yet,’ said the he.  ’It is not absolutely necessary that a man should have fourteen thousand pounds a year to be happy.’

’My father left me the property entire, and I should leave it entire to my son;—­but you don’t understand this.’

The doctor did understand the feeling fully.  The fact, on the other hand, was that, long as he had known him, the squire did not understand the doctor.

‘I would you could, Mr Gresham,’ said the doctor, ’so that your mind might be happier; but that cannot be, and, therefore, I say again, that Frank will do very well yet, although he will not inherit fourteen thousand pounds a year; and I would have you say the same thing to yourself.’

‘Ah! you don’t understand it,’ persisted the squire.  ’You don’t know how a man feels when he—­Ah, well! it’s no use my troubling you with what cannot be mended.  I wonder whether Umbleby is about the place anywhere?’

The doctor was again standing with his back against the chimney-piece, and with his hands in his pockets.