The girl looked down a moment, for realizing that her uncle recognized
the obligation he was under to the man he did not like, she remembered
that she herself owed him considerably more, and he had asked for
something in return. It was not altogether easy to grant, but she had
tacitly pledged herself, and turning suddenly she laid a hand on
Barrington's arm.
"Of course, but I want to talk of something else just now," she said.
"You know I have very seldom asked you questions about my affairs, but
I wish to take a little practical interest in them this year."
"Yes?" said Barrington, with a smile. "Well, I am at your service, my
dear, and quite ready to account for my stewardship. You are no longer
my ward, except by your own wishes."
"I am still your niece," said the girl, patting his arm. "Now, there
is, of course, nobody who could manage the farming better than you do,
but I would like to raise a large crop of wheat this season."
"It wouldn't pay," and the Colonel grew suddenly grave. "Very few men
in the district are going to sow all their holding. Wheat is steadily
going down."
"Then if nobody sows there will be very little, and shouldn't that put
up the prices?"
Barrington's eyes twinkled. "Who has been teaching you commercial
economy? You are too pretty to understand such things, and the
argument is fallacious, because the wheat is consumed in Europe; and
even if we have not much to offer, they can get plenty from California,
Chile, India, and Australia.
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