Chapter 14
As soon asthe bank loan came through after the agreement for the right of way was signed with the railway, John rode once again to Pembrook to settle the debt withEzra.
It was with great satisfaction that John handed the bank draft to Ezra in hisstudy.
“Huh,” was all Ezrasaid.
John couldn’t tell if he was pleased or not that his debt was repaid until he realized that Hollyoak was probably worth more than the debt, and now Ezra would be missing out on the windfall profit from the sale of thehouse.
“Two weeks early. How’d you do it, John?” Ezra asked as he accepted the payment. “I never expected you to pull it off? Did your bank finally relent and give you theloan?”
“In a manner of speaking,” John said giving no addeddetail.
Ezra studiedhim.
“You must be happy to get the mill repaired,” Johnsaid.
Ezra nodded. “Will you be staying for aspell?”
“I’ll overnight, but no longer. I have sheering come up and now I can begin work on the school. Hollyoak will finally be used asintended.”
“I seem to remember its original intention was to be for my Annabel,” Ezra said a littledryly.
“But that was not to be. However, it will still be put to gooduse.”
Just then Hester came into thestudy.
“Oh, John, I thought I heard a horse ride up. It’s good to seeyou.”
“And you,Hester.”
“And how is my adorable granddaughter? I so long to see her again. She must be… how oldnow?”
“Just five, and growing. She has a new nanny tutor who is doing wonders for her growth andeducation.”
“Oh, Iamhappy to hear that.” She turned to Ezra. “We must make a trip to Haverford soon. I do so long to see her, mydear.”
Ezranodded.
Hester reached out and tapped John on the arm. “Do you play whist?” she asked. “I can find a fourth and we can amuse ourselves this evening. You are staying over, aren’tyou?”
“I shall. It’s too tiring on the horse to make the trip both ways in oneday.”
Hester took a little hop and clapped. “Oh, wonderful. It’s such fun to have a guest. We rarely do, you know. We are so isolated here amongst all these trees. La, I shall make sure we have something extra delightful for supper, shallI?”
She turned and bounced out of theroom.
“You need to go out more,” John said with a slightsmile.
* * *
As John passedSusan in the entryway lobby one morning she stopped him. “John, do you have amoment?”
He stopped and turned to her. “Ido.”
“I’m happy to report that Elizabeth is growing by leaps and bounds. Not only physically but intellectually as well. But we have been cooped up in the school room for weeks on end. I think it would be greatly beneficial if she could play outside more. I have several ideas and I’d like yourresponse.”
“Of course. What are you thinking?” He asked and directed her to the library. “Please sit and let me have yourthoughts.
