The Four Swans by Winston Graham Read Free Book Online Page B

into the parlour of the house.,
    Ross said: `Drake, I know you have been wanting to leave the district for long enough. I know you feel you can never settle here after what has happened. But, however bad you feel about that, neither Demelza nor I are content to watch you waste your life in vain regrets.; You are a Cornishman with a good trade to your name, and there are better prospects for you in an area where we can help you than upcountry where you would have to take menial work to survive at all … I have said all this to you before, but I say it again now because there is a prospect just come to my notice - a reasonable prospect - of setting you up in business on your own.’
    He picked up the latest copy of the Sherborne & Yeovil Mercury &‘General Advertiser and offered it to the young man. It was folded with the back page outwards, and an advertisement had been marked., Drake frowned down at the printing, still only just able to spell out the words. He read:
     
    `To be sold by Auction on Wednesday the ninth of December at the King’s Arms Inn, Chacewater. That Blacksmith’s Shop, House and Land, situate in the parish of St Ann’s, property of the late Thos. Jewell, consisting of: House of four rooms, brew house, bake house, barn; Commodious shop with contents thereof, to wit: 1 anvil, 1 pair, bellows, hammers, tongs, 2 doz. new horse shoes, Stable with l mare, 1 colt, one parcel of old hay. In all six acres including one acre and a half of winter wheat, two and a half acres ploughed, 6 store sheep. Book debts Ł21.
    ‘For sale thereof a survey will be held, preceding auction.’
     
    When he had finished Drake-moistened his lips-and looked up. `I don’t rightly see…’
    `There are advantages and drawbacks,’ Ross said. `The chief of the drawbacks is that St Ann’s is no more than six miles from here, so you would be only “getting away” to a minor degree. Also you would be even nearer to the Warleggans, when they are in residence at Trenwith. And two of the four mines at present working in the district are Warleggan owned. But it is the most important village along this piece of coast; trade generally is recovering, and there might be opportunities for later expansion for someone who worked hard and had initiative.’
    Drake said: `I’ve two pound two shillings in all the world. I reckon with that I could buy the horse-shoes!’
    Ross said: `I don’t know what it would cost, but you know well I could afford to buy this on your behalf. If you agree, that’s what I propose to do., In July on our adventure in France, you suffered a serious wound that near killed you. Although you have denied it, I believe you incurred it at least partly in an attempt to save my skin. I don’t like being in debt - especially to someone young enough to be my son. This would be a way of discharging it.’ He had spoken without warmth, hoping to head off equivocation or thanks.
    `Did Demelza’
    `Demelza has had nothing to do with this idea, though naturally as your sister she approves it.’
    Drake fingered the newspaper. `But this here says six’ acres and … it would be a big property.’
    `So we shall have to pay for it. It’s fortunate that the chance has come up, for such shops and smallholdings most often descend from father, to son. Pally Jewell, who died last month, was a widower with two daughters, both married to farmers. The girls want the money to divide.’
    Drake looked at Ross. ‘Ye’ve asked about it?’ `I’ve asked about it.’
    `I don’t rightly know what to say.’
    `The auction is on Wednesday week. The survey will be the same day; but I think we should ride over before. Of course it is a matter for you to decide.’
    `How do you mean?’
    `You are still scarcely twenty. Maybe it’s too much for you to tackle. You have never been your own master. It would be a responsibility.’
    Drake looked out of the window. He also looked over the grey vista of his own heart, the lack of zest, the long years