They talk of sending the Guards down into the north,
and bringing over troops from Ireland."
"Poor Ireland!" said Gerard. "Well, I think the frieze-coats
might give us a helping hand now, and employ the troops at
least."
"No, my dear father, say not such things."
"Sybil will not let me think of these matters friend Hatton,"
said Gerard smiling. "Well, I suppose it's not in my way, at
least I certainly did not make the best hand of it in '39; but
it was London that got me into that scrape. I cannot help
fancying that were I on our Moors here a bit with some good
lads it might be different, and I must say so, I must indeed,
Sybil."
"But you are very quiet here I hope," said Hatton.
"Oh! yes," said Gerard, "I believe our spirit is sufficiently
broken at Mowbray. Wages weekly dropping, and just work
enough to hinder sheer idleness; that sort of thing keeps the
people in very humble trim. But wait a bit, and when they
have reached the starvation point I fancy we shall hear a
murmur."
"I remember our friend Morley in '39, when we returned from
London, gave me a very good character of the disposition of
the people here," said Hatton; "I hope it continues the same.
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