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“Thank you,” John said quietly and they walked on insilence.

“I know we spoke recently about the school and my inability to move forward with it,” John said. “But I feel you have a right to understand why I’m unable to dothat.”

“If you wish to tell me,” Susanreplied.

John explained about the loan and the foreclosure on the house that was to be used as theschool.

“Oh,” was all Susan could think of to say until she said, “I assume you’ve tried to borrow the moneyelsewhere?”

“I have, but to no avail. And, although, I could use the sale of this season’s wool harvest to pay off the loan, with the deadline I have, it will be toolate.”

“And your father-in-law won’t allow anextension?”

“He already has. And he urgently needs the payment to invest in his ownbusiness.”

“What about selling off some of your land? Would that be a possibility?” Susansuggested.

John winced. “To my forefathers that would be unthinkable. I can’t let themdown.”

“But if you lose the school, won’t that amount to the samething?”

“Hmm. Perhaps, but it would only be a house, with not a significant amount ofland.”

Susan got an idea. “John, I’ve heard from several sources that there is to be a railway line built from London to Dover. Have you heard aboutthat?”

John shook his head. “No, I’venot.”

“It’s my understanding that it’s to come close by here. My friend, Katherine, was telling me there are railway men in the area surveying for the right of way. It seems they are offering large sums of money for what is virtually a small strip of land through anyone’sproperty.

“Really?” John said, lightingup.

“That might be worth investigating as a possible solution to yourproblem?”

“Do you have any idea how to contact thesemen?”

“Idon’t.”

“My banker would probably know.” John turned to Susan. “Thank you. Thank you very much. That is an excellent suggestion. I shall follow up on itimmediately.”

“And if you were to save Hollyoak, might the school then go forward as planned?” sheasked.

“It would be my great pleasure to do just that. I can’t tell you how happy that would make myworkers.”

* * *

John stoodin the office of his banker, HarcourtRutley.

“Cigar?” Harcourt asked, opening hishumidor.

“Thank you, no. I abstain fromtobacco.”

“Ah… As youwish.”

John had just asked if Harcourt knew about the proposedrailway.

Harcourt closed the humidor and took the time to light his cigar beforeanswering.

“Not only have I heard of it, I am an investor in it. It’s going to be a huge boon for Kent. A line from London to Dover will explode the possibilities for travel and trade to France. Can you see that, old man? Not to mention the convenience for transporting all of our local commodities to London aswell.”