Hornblower.  Have a sense of proportion, man.  My works supply thousands of people, and my, heart’s in them.  What’s more, they make my fortune.  I’ve got ambitions—­I’m a serious man.  Suppose I were to consider this and that, and every little potty objection—­ where should I get to?—­nowhere!

Hillcrist. All the same, this sort of thing isn’t done, you know.

Hornblower.  Not by you because ye’ve got no need to do it.  Here ye are, quite content on what your fathers made for ye.  Ye’ve no ambitions; and ye want other people to have none.  How d’ye think your fathers got your land?

Hillcrist. [Who has risen] Not by breaking their word.

Hornblower. [Throwing out his, finger] Don’t ye believe it.  They got it by breaking their word and turnin’ out Jackmans, if that’s their name, all over the place.

Mrs. H. That’s an insult, Mr. Hornblower.

Hornblower.  No; it’s a repartee.  If ye think so much of these
Jackmans, build them a cottage yourselves; ye’ve got the space.

Hillcrist. That’s beside the point.  You promised me, and I sold on that understanding.

Hornblower.  And I bought on the understandin’ that I’d get some more land from the Duke.

Hillcrist. That’s nothing to do with me.

Hornblower.  Ye’ll find it has; because I’m going to have those cottages.

Hillcrist. Well, I call it simply——­

     [He checks himself.]

Hornblower.  Look here, Hillcrist, ye’ve not had occasion to understand men like me.  I’ve got the guts, and I’ve got the money; and I don’t sit still on it.  I’m going ahead because I believe in meself.  I’ve no use for sentiment and that sort of thing.  Forty of your Jackmans aren’t worth me little finger.

Hillcrist. [Angry] Of all the blatant things I ever heard said!

Hornblower.  Well, as we’re speaking plainly, I’ve been thinkin’.  Ye want the village run your oldfashioned way, and I want it run mine.  I fancy there’s not room for the two of us here.

Mrs. H. When are you going?

Hornblower.  Never fear, I’m not going.

Hillcrist. Look here, Mr. Hornblower—­this infernal gout makes me irritable—­puts me at a disadvantage.  But I should be glad if you’d kindly explain yourself.

Hornblower. [With a great smile] Ca’ canny; I’m fra’ the North.

Hillcrist. I’m told you wish to buy the Centry and put more of your chimneys up there, regardless of the fact [He Points through the window] that it would utterly ruin the house we’ve had for generations, and all our pleasure here.

Hornblower.  How the man talks!  Why!  Ye’d think he owned the sky, because his fathers built him a house with a pretty view, where he’s nothing to do but live.  It’s sheer want of something to do that gives ye your fine sentiments, Hillcrist.