“I have not,” Johnreplied.
“Barton, please arrange a tray with cook and take it to his room after you have settled himin.”
“Ofcourse.”
Barton led John out of the sitting room and up the stairway to the guestroom.
“Could you have groom take care of my horse, please?” Johnasked.
“Of course. And I shall bring you your traypresently.”
“Thank you,Barton.”
“YourGrace.”
* * *
The next morningJohn arose and looked out the window. The estate was nestled in amongst a forest. Timber was the Earl’s primary income, although he was cutting far more than he was growing, and John suspected his supplies would soon be exhausted. Perhaps that was why Ezra was calling in theloan.
He did not want to delay any longer than necessary his meeting with Ezra so he dressed and went down to the conservatory where he knew breakfast was usually served. Only Hester wasseated.
“Good morning and thank you for your hospitality. You’re most kind,” John said, seating himself opposite his mother-in-law. “Will Ezra be downsoon?”
“Oh, he’s been up a long time and has alreadybreakfasted.”
“I see. I must have slept late. It was a long and tiring ride overhere.”
“My husband just went to the stables and should be backshortly.”
“There you are,” Ezra said as he marched up to the table. “Finish breakfast and I’ll be in my study. You know where that is,no?”
“Ido.”
John finished his simple breakfast quickly and headed to Ezra’s study and wentinside.
Ezra looked up as John entered. “I’m sorry you had to come all this way. I assume you didn’t come to pay off theloan?”
“And that’scorrect.”
“Then what do you hope to accomplish? I’ve extended the loan twice already and I’m in need of capital myself and am not prepared to extend the loan again—under anycircumstances.”
“Please, Ezra, I’m not asking formuch.
Ezra considered for a moment, then said, “Come withme.”
He led the way out of his study to the stables. He had a horse hitched up to a wagon and he and John headed out along one of the many logging roads on the Pembrookproperty.
They spoke little until they came to the sawmill. Ezra stopped thewagon.
“Here, this is what I wanted to show you,” he said as he jumped down. Johnfollowed.
They walked to the side of the mill and Ezra pointed to the large wheel being fed by thesluice.
“Look at that. The damn thing is about to fall apart. I need to completely rebuild the gears, the wheel, and the sluice. That’s what I need the money for, John. It’s not for some personal whim. This is the basis of my business and I must repair the mill as soon as possible or I’m completely out of business.” He turned to John. “You understand, don’t you,son?”
How could he not? John studied the dysfunctioning mill and knew he must do what he could about repaying the loan as soon as possible. But what waspossible?
Ezra led John back to the wagon and they returned to PembrookHall.
