This took
place on the Saturday morning and the interview was on the whole
satisfactory to the Senator. But then having a theory of his own in
his head, and being fond of ventilating his own theories, he
explained thoroughly to the man the story which he wished to hear
before the man was called upon to tell his story. Mr. Bearside of
course told it accordingly. Goarly was a very poor man, and very
ignorant; was perhaps not altogether so good a member of society as
he might have been; but no doubt he had a strong case against the
lord. The lord, so said Mr. Bearside, had fallen into a way of
paying a certain recompense in certain cases for crops damaged by
game; and having in this way laid down a rule for himself did not
choose to have that rule disturbed. "Just feudalism!" said the
indignant Senator. "No better, nor yet no worse than that, sir,"
said the attorney who did not in the least know what feudalism was.
"The strong hand backed by the strong rank and the strong purse
determined to have its own way!" continued the Senator. "A most
determined man is his lordship," said the attorney. Then the
Senator expressed his hope that Mr. Bearside would be able to see
the poor man through it, and Mr. Bearside explained to the Senator
that the poor man was a very poor man indeed, who had been so
unfortunate with his land that he was hardly able to provide bread
for himself and his children.
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