magine,whowouldnotbesurprisedtofindthemselvesinahouseofthisdescription.”
“Theywouldlookaroundthem,nodoubt,andblesstheirgoodfortune,”saidMrsClay,forMrsClaywaspresent:herfatherhaddrivenherover,nothingbeingofsomuchusetoMrsClay’shealthasadrivetoKellynch:“butIquiteagreewithmyfatherinthinkingasailormightbeaverydesirabletenant.Ihaveknownagooddealoftheprofessionandbesidestheirliberality,theyaresoneatandcarefulinalltheirways!Thesevaluablepicturesofyours,SirWalter,ifyouchosetoleavethem,wouldbeperfectlysafe.Everythinginandaboutthehousewouldbetakensuchexcellentcareof!Thegardensandshrubberieswouldbekeptinalmostashighorderastheyarenow.Youneednotbeafraid,MissElliot,ofyourownsweetflowergardensbeingneglected.”
“Astoallthat,”rejoinedSirWaltercoolly,“supposingIwereinducedtoletmyhouse,Ihavebynomeansmadeupmymindastotheprivilegestobeannexedtoit.Iamnotparticularlydisposedtofavouratenant.Theparkwouldbeopentohimofcourse,andfewnavyofficers,ormenofanyotherdescription,canhavehadsucharangebutwhatrestrictionsImightimposeontheuseofthepleasure-grounds,isanotherthing.IamnotfondoftheideaofmyshrubberiesbeingalwaysapproachableandIshouldrecommendMissElliottobeonherguardwithrespecttoherflowergarden.IamverylittledisposedtograntatenantofKellynchHallanyextraordinaryfavour,Iassureyou,behesailororsoldier.”
Afterashortpause,MrShepherdpresumedtosay—
“Inallthesecases,thereareestablishedusageswhichmakeeverythingplainandeasybetweenlandlordandtenant.Yourinterest,SirWalter,isinprettysafehands.Dependuponmefortakingcarethatnotenanthasmorethanhisjustrights.Iventuretohint,thatSirWalterElliotcannotbehalfsojealousforhisown,asJohnShepherdwillbeforhim.”
HereAnnespoke—
“Thenavy,Ithink,whohavedonesomuchforus,haveatleastanequalclaimwithanyothersetofmen,forallthecomfortsandalltheprivilegeswhichanyhomecangive.Sailorsworkhardenoughfortheircomforts,wemusta