"
"How are they to know that?" said Steadfast, not stopping to dispute
what rather startled him, since though Jeph was the eldest son, the
land had been made over to himself. To save the crop was the point.
"Look you here," said Jeph, "walk down with me to my good Captain's
quarters, and he will give you a protection which you may shew to any
man who dares to touch aught that is ours, be it corn or swine, ox or
ass."
It was a long walk, but Steadfast was only too glad to take it for
the sake of such security, and besides, there was a real pleasure in
being with Jeph, little as he seemed like the same idle, easy-going
brother, except perhaps in those little touches of selfishness and
boastfulness, which, though Stead did not realise them, did recall
the original Jeph.
All through the moonlight walk Jeph expounded his singular mercies,
which apparently meant his achievements in killing Cavaliers, and the
commendations given to him. One of these mercies was the retention
of the home and land, though he kindly explained that his brothers
and sisters were welcome to get their livelihood there whilst he was
serving with the army, but some day he should come home "as one that
divideth the spoil," and build up the old house, unless, indeed, and
he glanced towards the sloping woods of Elmwood Manor, "the house and
fields of the malignants should be delivered to the faithful.
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