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Introduction to the Simulation of Dynamics Using
Simulink 1st Edition Michael A. Gray Digital Instant
Download
Author(s): Michael A. Gray
ISBN(s): 9781439818978, 1439818975
Edition: 1
File Details: PDF, 6.50 MB
Year: 2010
Language: english
INTRODUCTION TO

the Simulation
of Dynamics
Using Simulink®
 Chapman & Hall/CRC
Computational Science Series

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INTRODUCTION TO THE SIMULATION OF DYNAMICS USING SIMULINK®
Michael A. Gray
INTRODUCTION TO

the Simulation
of Dynamics
Using Simulink®

Michael A. Gray
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 This book is dedicated to my wife, Mary Teresa, and my father,
John M. Gray, without whose influence, constant encouragement,
and unfailing support it would not have been possible.
Table of Contents

Preface, xv

Chapter 1  Introduction and Motivation 1

1.1 Systems 2
1.1.1 Examples of Systems 3
1.1.2 Classifying Systems 4
1.2 Dynamical Models of Physical Systems 4
1.2.1 Discrete-Time Models 5
1.2.2 Continuous Models 5
1.3 Constructing Simulations from Dynamical
Models 5
1.3.1 Block-Diagram Models 6
1.3.2 Block-Diagram Simulations 7
1.4 How Simulators are Used 7
1.5 Summary 8
References and Additional Reading 8

Chapter 2  The Basics of Simulation in Simulink 11

2.1 Simplest Model to Simulate 11
2.1.1 The Feedforward Block Diagram 13
2.2 Models in Simulink 13
2.2.1 Documenting a Model 13
2.3 Simulation of the Simplest Model 16
2.3.1 Output Blocks from the Sinks Library 16

vii
viii   ◾   Table of Contents

2.3.1.1 The Scope Block 17

2.3.2 Input Blocks from the Sources Library 20
2.3.2.1 The Constant Block 22
2.3.3 Block Connections 23
2.3.4 Running the Simulation 24
2.3.4.1 The Configuration Parameters 24
2.3.4.2 Observing the Simulation Output 24
2.3.4.3 Default Ranges and Autoscale 26
2.3.4.4 Making the Scope Output Printable 27
2.4 Understanding How Time is Handled In
Simulation 27
2.5 A Model with Time as a Variable 28
2.5.1 The Clock Block from the Sources Library 29
2.5.2 Processing Blocks from the Math Operations
Library 31
2.5.2.1 The Product Block 31
2.5.2.2 The Add Block 32
2.6 How Simulink Propagates Values in Block
Diagrams 35
2.7 A Model with Uniform Circular Motion 38
2.7.1 The Sine Wave Block from the Sources Library 40
2.7.2 The Gain Block from the Math Operations Library 41
2.7.3 The XY Graph Block from the Sinks Library 44
2.8 A Model with Spiraling Circular Motion 44
2.8.1 The Math Function Block from the Math
Operations Library 45
2.9 Uncertainty in Numbers and Significant
Figures 47
2.10 Summary 52
References and Additional Reading 52
 Table of Contents   ◾   ix

Chapter 3  Simulation of First-Order Difference Equation

Models 55
3.1 What Is a Difference Equation? 56
3.1.1 Difference Equation Terminology 56
3.2 Examples of Systems with Difference
Equation Models 57
3.3 First-Order Difference Equation Simulation 58
3.3.1 The Input and Output Ports of a Block 58
3.3.2 The Memory Block from the Discrete Library 61
3.3.3 The Feedback Block Diagram 62
3.3.4 The IC Block from the Signal Attributes Library 63
3.3.5 Setting Initial Conditions with the Initial
Conditions Field of the Memory Block 66
3.4 Examining the Internals of a Simulation 68
3.4.1 The Floating Scope Block from the Sinks Library 69
3.5 Organizing the Internal Structure of a
Simulation 72
3.5.1 The Subsystem Block from the Ports and
Subsystems Library 73
3.6 Using Vector and Matrix Data 78
3.6.1 Vector and Matrix Constants 79
3.6.2 The Display Block from the Sinks Library 81
3.6.3 Colors for Displaying Scope Vector Input 83
3.7 Summary 85
References and Additional Reading 86

Chapter 4  Simulation of First-Order Differential Equation

Models 87
4.1 What is a Differential Equation? 87
4.1.1 Differential Equation Terminology 88
x   ◾   Table of Contents

4.2 Examples of Systems with Differential

Equation Models 89
4.3 Reworking First-Order Differential
Equations into Block Form 92
4.4 First-Order Differential Equation
Simulation 93
4.4.1 The Integrator Block from the Continuous Library 93
4.4.2 Specifying Initial Values for First-Order
Differential Equation Simulations 94
4.5 Saving Simulation Data in Matlab 98
4.5.1 The To Workspace Block from the Sinks Library 99
4.5.2 Saving Simulation Data in a File 101
4.6 Summary 103
References and Additional Reading 105

Chapter 5  Fixed-Step Solvers and Numerical Integration

Methods 107
5.1 What Is a Solver? 107
5.2 Understanding the Basics of Numerical
Integration Algorithms 108
5.2.1 The Euler Method 109
5.2.2 Taylor’s Theorem 110
5.2.3 A Graphical View of the Euler Method 113
5.3 Understanding Solver Errors 115
5.4 Improving the Basic Algorithms 118
5.4.1 Runge–Kutta Methods 119
5.4.2 Corrector Methods 122
5.4.3 Multistep Methods 126
5.5 Fixed-Step Solvers in the Simulink Software 129
5.6 Summary 131
References and Additional Reading 132
 Table of Contents   ◾   xi

Chapter 6  Simulation of First-Order Equation Systems 133

6.1 What is a First-order Difference Equation
System? 134
6.2 Examples of First-order Difference
Equation Systems 134
6.3 Simulating a First-order Difference
Equation System 135
6.3.1 The Two-Input Scope Block 135
6.3.2 Algebraic Loops 136
6.4 What is a First-order Differential Equation
System? 143
6.5 Examples of First-order Differential
Equation Systems 144
6.6 Simulating a First-order Differential
Equation System 144
6.7 Combining Connections on a Bus 148
6.7.1 The Bus Creator Block from the Signals Routing
Library 149
6.8 Summary 152
Refernces and Additional Reading 153

Chapter 7  Simulation of Second-Order Equation Models:

Nonperiodic Dynamics 155
7.1 Simulation of Second-Order Difference
Equation Models 155
7.1.1 Sequential Structure 156
7.1.2 Layered Structure 158
7.2 Simulation of SEcond-Order Differential
Equation Models 160
7.2.1 Sequential Structure 162
7.2.2 Layered Structure 164
7.3 Second-Order Differential Equation
Models with First-Order Terms 168
xii   ◾   Table of Contents

7.3.1 Viscosity Modeled by a Linear Function of

Velocity 168
7.3.2 Viscosity Modeled by a Quadratic Function of
Velocity 171
7.4 Conditional Dynamics 176
7.4.1 Object Moving at the Earth’s Surface 176
7.4.1.1 The Switch Block from the Signal Routing
Library 180
7.4.1.2 The Zero-Order Hold Block from the
Discrete Library 182
7.4.1.3 The If Action Subsystem from the Ports &
Subsystems Library 183
7.4.1.4 The If Block from the Ports & Signals
Library 183
7.4.1.5 The Merge Block from the Signal Routing
Library 183
7.5 Summary 187
References and Additional Reading 187

Chapter 8  Simulation of Second-Order Equation Models:

Periodic Dynamics 189
8.1 Orbital Systems 189
8.1.1 The Gravitational Attraction between Two Objects 189
8.1.2 The Earth–Sun System 190
8.1.3 Circular Orbits 192
8.1.4 The Earth–Satellite System 197
8.2 Masked Subsystems 200
8.2.1 A Simple Example 201
8.2.2 Parameterizing the Subsystem Components 202
8.2.3 Creating the Subsystem Mask 204
8.3 Creating Libraries 206
8.4 Summary 212
References 214
 Table of Contents   ◾   xiii

Chapter 9  Higher-Order Models and Variable-Step

Solvers 217
9.1 Direct Simulation by Multiple Integrations 217
9.1.1 An Automobile Suspension Model 218
9.1.2 The Terminator Block from the Sinks Library 218
9.1.3 Transformation into a First-Order Equation
System 221
9.2 Producing Function Forms for Simulation
Results 222
9.3 Variable-Step Solvers 225
9.3.1 Example Variable-Step-Size Algorithm 226
9.3.2 Example Variable-Step, Fourth-Order Runge–
Kutta Solver 226
9.4 Variable-Step Solvers in Simulink 228
9.5 Summary 228
References and Additional Reading 229

Chapter 10  Advanced Topics: Transforming Ordinary

Differential Equations, Simulation of
Chaotic Dynamics, and Simulation of Partial
Differential Equations 231
10.1 Transforming Ordinary Differential
Equations 231
10.1.1 The Laplace Transform 235
10.1.2 A Laplace Transform Example 237
10.1.3 Simulation by Nested Transforms 240
10.1.4 Simulation by Partitioned Transforms 243
10.1.5 The Transfer Fcn Block from the Continuous
Library 247
10.1.6 Examples of Transfer Function Simulation 247
10.1.6.1 Impulse-Driven Spring 247
10.1.6.2 Analog Signal Filter 250
10.1.6.3 Disk Drive Motion under Control 251
xiv   ◾   Table of Contents

10.2 Simulation of Chaotic Dynamics 253

10.2.1 Example of a Chaotic System—the Lorenz Model 254
10.2.2 The Logistic Map 257
10.3 Simulation of Partial Differential
Equations 264
10.3.1 What Is a Partial Differential Equation? 264
10.3.2 Examples of Systems with Partial Differential
Equation Models 265
10.3.3 Simulating Partial Differential Equation Models 267
10.3.4 The Embedded MATLAB Function Block from the
User-Defined Functions Library 269
10.4 Summary 276
References and Additional Reading 278

Appendix A: Alphabetical List of Simulink Blocks, 281

Appendix B: The Basics of MATLAB for Simulink

Users, 283
B.1 The MATLAB Main Window 283
B.2 The Default Folder in MATLAB 284
B.3 Launching Simulink from MATLAB 285
B.4 Simulink Model Files in MATLAB 285
References and Additional Reading 288

Appendix C: Debugging a Simulink Model, 289

C.1 Starting the Debugger 289
C.2 Running the Model in Step Mode 291
C.3 Running the Model in Trace Mode 299
Additional Reading 300

Index, 301
Preface

The importance of simulation as an integral part of the analytical methods

of science and technology grew rapidly in the latter half of the last century,
and as the twenty-first century unfolds, simulation will expand its role as a
tool for modern science and technology. Because this subject is so vital in
technological work, it is important that undergraduate students receive an
early introduction to it so that they are comfortable with employing simula-
tion whenever it is useful, both in their course work and later in their jobs.
To support early study of simulation, we must have undergraduate-level
textbooks that are satisfactory for use by a general community of science,
engineering, and technology students. Some textbooks are based on con-
structing simulations using general-purpose programming languages, and
such books are therefore restricted to undergraduates with programming
experience. Other textbooks focus on simulation and modeling in the
abstract, and these typically provide few modern computer tools for the
students to use. Many textbooks introduce simulation only at an advanced
undergraduate or graduate level in connection with a specific scientific,
engineering, or technological field. This textbook follows a different strat-
egy by aiming at the general scientific, engineering, and technological
undergraduate student community with no programming experience.
To support this strategy, I have based this study of simulation on the
use of modern graphical simulation tools. The tool I use is the Simulink®
software, which is part of the MATLAB® software system. The graphically
based Simulink application is attractive to modern undergraduates, who
have grown up on visually appealing and intuitively useful computer appli-
cations. I also stress the generality of simulation by using examples from
different science, engineering, and technology fields. Early undergraduate
students will benefit from this approach, since early undergraduate study
is exactly the time when breadth of knowledge is sought and when unify-
ing themes across the sciences and technologies are studied.

xv
xvi   ◾   Preface

While the translation of a physical model into a simulation may

be easy for advanced students, it is not always intuitive for beginning
undergraduates, so I concentrate on giving the reader a clear explanation
of how to go from physical models described by mathematical equations
directly to executable Simulink simulations. The book is written in an
informal style, with many diagrams and graphics, and the exercises are
embedded in the body of the text so that they can be done on a learn-as-
you-go basis. Chapters 1 to 9 contain the basics of building a simulation
in Simulink, while Chapter 10 has an introduction to some advanced
topics. This text is appropriate for a one-semester course in the topic and
should prepare the student for advanced and possibly specialized studies
in simulation. Instructors can be from any science, engineering, or tech-
nology field, so this book can be used in the undergraduate curricula of
many different departments.
The book assumes that the student version of Simulink is the sole vehicle
for constructing simulations and that no general-purpose programming
skills are required. The drag-and-drop graphical interface provided by
Simulink makes the construction of a simulation almost like video gam-
ing, and the student is provided with immediate feedback and satisfaction
when developing a simulation.
I start the textbook with finite-difference equations rather than ordi-
nary differential equations (ODEs), because I believe that beginning stu-
dents grasp the simulation of first-order difference equations easier than
they do first-order ODEs. Simple discrete models like annual population
models are easy to understand and allow the textbook to introduce the
concept of state (in this case, the previous population value) in a simpler
way than is the case in differential equations. When students move to first-
order ODEs, they already understand the idea of retaining and using state,
which makes the task of understanding numerical integration algorithms
easier. This also allows the discussion of the idea of simulation time step
in a simple context, and it paves the way for understanding more complex
time-step concepts later.
Finally, I would like to stress the enjoyment that simulation brings to
the learning experience of the undergraduate student. Although there are
many graphic demonstrations shown in courses by instructors, the satis-
faction of personally constructing a simulation that performs as expected
is very thrilling intellectually. The simulation then allows students to
explore behavior and effects beyond the standard course topics, which
deepens and enriches their understanding of the simulated systems.
 Chapter 1

Introduction and Motivation

O ne of humanity’s greatest intellectual achievements happened

when humans first realized that it was not necessary to use a real,
physical system to analyze changes to it. People discovered that a small
replica of a system could be constructed to investigate possible changes
without the large expenditure of effort or resources that changes to a real
system would require. These replicas were our first models, and they have
been central to science, engineering, and technology ever since. Rubinstein
(1981) quotes Rosenbluth and Wiener (1945), who wrote:

No substantial part of the universe is so simple that it can be grasped

and controlled without abstraction. Abstraction consists in replac-
ing the part of the universe under consideration by a model of simi-
lar but simpler structure. Models … are thus a central necessity of
scientific procedure.

Models and their manipulation have become even more necessary as we

tackle systems of global size or with a long time span. Systems whose
dynamics unfold only once during the universe’s lifetime or which are
inherently self-destructive are things that cannot be reproduced in the
laboratory at all. Accurate models that enable us to predict the future
development of such systems are invaluable in these cases.
This textbook contains a study of one important technique for using
models to investigate the dynamical behavior of physical systems. This
technique is called simulation, and it consists of the construction of a
model that operates in simulated time to show us the predicted dynamics
1
2   ◾   Introduction to the Simulation of Dynamics Using Simulink

of the system. There are many kinds of simulation in the world, including
simulations of systems from arts, humanities, social sciences, and physical
sciences, but we generally restrict our work to simulations of physical sys-
tems that arise in science, technology, and applied mathematics. We also
focus mainly on physical systems whose behavior unfolds continuously in
time rather than at discrete points in time, although we do examine some
discretely unfolding systems for educational purposes. The models we use
are mathematical models, consisting of sets of mathematical equations
that predict parameters of importance for the systems.
There are many kinds of physical systems whose behavior is known to
be stochastic. By this we mean that the system equations contain param-
eters whose values do not vary in time in a deterministic manner. The next
value of such parameters at any time cannot be determined solely by the
current time and the system’s past history, but must be chosen by knowing
the statistics of the processes and choosing values according to the appro-
priate statistical distribution. Stochastic systems require a different set of
techniques from those that we study in this text, so we restrict our study
to systems whose models are deterministic in nature.

1.1 Systems
To begin our study of the simulation of continuous systems, we must start
with a definition of what we consider to be a system. A system is a collection
of associated parts whose combined behavior can be viewed as the behavior
of a unified entity. We need to examine the features of this definition care-
fully because each carries important implications about the assumptions
in this definition.

A system is a collection: This phrase implies that we accept the size of a

system to be any number from 1 to an infinite number. So number
alone is not a characterizing feature of a system. The size of a system
is not a limitation on the kinds of things that can be systems, nor
does it provide a litmus test for identifying systems.
of associated parts: This piece of the definition implies that systems are
composite: They have parts that are identifiable individuals. In fact,
the parts of a system may themselves be systems, which we may call
subsystems of the system. But since each subsystem is itself a sys-
tem, this is a recursive definition allowing nesting to any level. Of
course, there are very simple systems, which may have only one or
two parts and so have a flat internal structure, but we do not make
 Introduction and Motivation   ◾   3

the restriction that system structure must be either flat or nested.

Note that the parts making up a system cannot be unrelated, so an
arbitrary collection of things does not constitute a system. There
must be some relation that associates the parts and provides us with
a reason to consider the group as constituting a whole.
whose combined behavior: A crucial aspect of a system is that its parts
interact to provide the system with its behavior. The parts possess
individual behaviors, and they can be quite different from that of the
system in which they participate. But their behaviors mesh together
in such a way as to give an overall behavior to the system that is dis-
tinct from its parts.
can be viewed as the behavior of a unified entity: The last and pos-
sibly the most important aspect of the definition states that we
can treat the system as a whole and base all our analyses on this
black-box behavior. We are able to replace the complicated com-
bination of part behaviors with a single behavior that we call the
system behavior.

1.1.1 Examples of Systems
Systems are so pervasive in our world that we are overwhelmed with
examples. Our farms are intricate agricultural systems for producing large
amounts of food in a reliable and sustainable manner. Our food is often
prepared in chemical facilities that are complex chemical systems. We live in
an environment of animals and organisms that constitutes a biological sys-
tem of immense complexity. Humans organize themselves into large social
systems containing complex subsystems such as the mechanism through
which we organize our trading, our economic system. Mechanical systems
such as buildings and automobiles surround us in everyday life. The parts
of a building—its rooms, stairways, heating and cooling mechanisms—are
quite different from each other but are designed to work together to provide
the overall function of sheltering us from weather. The heating and cool-
ing mechanisms are usually subsystems due to their own systemic natures.
Electrical systems include the power grid that delivers electrical power to
our buildings. Modern cities, which are systems consisting of an extremely
complex collection of physical, social, political, and economic subsystems,
are very likely the most complex things humanity has ever devised. All
of these systems are candidates for simulation so that we can understand
their workings better and control these systems for our benefit.
Discovering Diverse Content Through
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and that she was trotting along quite peaceably, while he let the
reins hang loose upon her neck, and turned round to talk to my
sister Joyce. And as we passed the clump of tall elms at the foot of
the cliff, and began slowly to climb the hill towards the village, I
looked out across the cold expanse of white marsh-land to the calm
sea beyond, and wondered whether it were true what the books said
that the peace of a perfect love could only be won through trouble
and heartache. Anyway, the trouble must be worth the reward, since
we all admired those who fought for it, and most of us entered the
lists ourselves. But no doubt the trouble and the fighting was always
on the man's side, and as I caught a glimpse of Joyce's blushing
profile and of the Captain's eager gaze, I said to myself that Joyce
was beautiful, and that Joyce was sweet, and that Joyce would have
a lover to whom no trouble in the whole world would be too much
for the sake of one kiss from her lips.
 CHAPTER III.
I had jumped down as we ascended the hill, and had walked by
the side of the cart. Captain Forrester had turned round now and
then to say a word to me, making pleasant general remarks upon
the beauty of the country and the healthiness of the situation. But
he did it out of mere politeness, I knew. When we reached the top
of the hill, he gave the reins to Joyce and got down.
"You'll be all right now, won't you?" said he, helping me in. "I
won't come to the door, for I'm due at home;" and he nodded in the
direction of the Manor.
Then he must be staying in our village.
I said aloud, laughing, "Well, we could hardly get into trouble
between this and our house, could we?"
"Hardly," laughed he back again, looking down the road to the
right, which led to the ivied porch of our house.
How well he seemed to know all about us! Was he the squire's
guest as well as his friend? If so, Joyce would see him again.
"Won't you come in and see my father and mother?" said I.
I was not sure whether it was the thing to do in good society, such
as that to which I felt instinctively that he belonged, but I knew that
it was the hospitable thing to do, and I did it. Joyce seconded my
invitation in an inarticulate murmur.
I think we were both of us considerably relieved when he said
with that same gay smile, and speaking with his clear, well-bred
accent: "Not now, thank you. But I will come and call very soon, if I
may."
 He added the last words turning round to Joyce. She blushed and
looked uncomfortable. We were both thinking that mother might
possibly not welcome this stranger so cordially as we had done.
However, I was not going to have this good beginning spoiled by any
mistake on my part, and I hastened to say: "Oh yes, pray do come. I
am sure mother will be delighted to welcome any friend of Squire
Broderick's."
He gave a little bow at that, but he did not say anything. He held
out his hand to me, and then turned to Joyce. I fancied that hers
rested in his just a moment longer than was necessary; but then I
was in the mood to build up any romance at the moment, and no
doubt I was mistaken. But anyhow, I turned the dog-cart down
rather sharply towards the house, and Captain Forrester had to
stand aside. I was not going to have the villagers gossiping; and
such a thing had not been seen before, as Farmer Maliphant's two
daughters talking with a stranger at the corner of the village street.
"I wonder whether he is staying at the Manor," said I, as we drove
up the gravel.
And Joyce echoed, "I wonder."
But she had plenty to do when she got in, showing her new
purchases to mother, and telling her the market prices of household
commodities, and I do not suppose that she gave a thought to her
new admirer for some time. At all events, she did not speak of him.
Neither did I. I did not go in-doors.
I always was an unnatural sort of a girl in some ways, and
shopping and talk about shopping never interested me. I preferred
to remain in the yard, and discuss the points of the new mare with
Reuben. But all the time, I was thinking of the man whom we had
met in town, and wondering whether or not he would turn out to be
Joyce's lover. As I have said before, Reuben and I were great
friends. He was a gaunt, loose-limbed old fellow, with a refined
although by no means a handsome face, thin features, a fair pale
skin, with white whiskers upon it. In character he was simple,
obstinate, and taciturn, and had a queer habit of applying the same
tests to human beings as he did to dumb animals. In the household
—although every one respected his knowledge of his own business—
I think that he was regarded merely as an honest, loyal nobody. It
was only I who used sometimes to think that it was not all
obtuseness, but also a laudable desire for a quiet life, which led
Reuben to be such an easy mark for Deborah's wit, and apparently
so impervious to its arrows.
"She pulled, did she?" said he, with a smile that showed a very
good set of teeth for an old man. "Ah, it takes a man to hold a mare,
leastways if she's got any spirit in her."
"She didn't pull any too much for me," answered I, half vexed.
"What makes you fancy so?"
"I seed the young dandy a-driving ye along the road," said he. "I
can see a long way. She pulled at first, but he took it out of her."
If there was any secret in our having driven out of town with
Captain Forrester, Reuben had it.
"Joyce was frightened, and he had driven the mare at the
squire's," said I. "She reared a bit in town, but I don't think he drove
any better than I could have done."
Reuben took no notice of this remark. "She's a handsome mare,"
said he. "The handsomer they be, the worse they be to drive.
Women are the same—so I've heard tell; though, to be sure, the
ugly ones are bad enough."
Deborah was not handsome; but then, had Reuben ever tried to
drive her? Oh, if she could have heard that speech! She came up the
garden cliff in front of us as I spoke, with some herbs in her arms—a
tall, strong woman, with a wide waist and shoulders, planting her
foot firmly on the ground at every step, and swaying slightly on her
hips with the bulk of her person. When she was young she must
have had a fine figure, but now she was not graceful.
 "Yes, she's a beauty," said I, stroking the mare's sleek sides, and
alluding to her and not to Deborah. "When we are alone together
we'll have fine fun." The mare stretched out her pretty neck to take
the sugar that I held in my hand. She was beginning to know me
already.
"Yes, Miss Joyce is nervous," said Reuben, meditatively. "Most like
she would have more confidence in a beau. Them pretty maids are
that way, and the beaux buzz about them like flies to the honey. But
the beasts be fond of you, miss," he added, admiringly, watching me
fondling the horse.
It was the higher compliment from Reuben, and it was true that
every animal liked me. I could catch the pony in the field when it
would let no one else get near it. I could milk the cow who kicked
over the pail for any one but Deborah. I could coax the rabbits to
me, and almost make friends with the hares in the woods. The cat
slept upon my bed, and Taff watched outside my door.
I laughed at Reuben's compliment; but Deborah strode out of the
back door just then, to hang linen out to dry, and Reuben never
laughed when she was by. She gave me a sharp glance.
"You've got your frock out at the gathers again," said she. She did
not often trouble to give us our titles of "miss."
"Have I?" replied I, carelessly.
"Yes, you have; and how you manage it is more than I can tell,"
continued she, tartly. "Now you're grown up, I should think you
might have done with jumping dikes, and riding horses without
saddles, and such-like."
"Why, Deb," cried I, laughing, "I haven't jumped a dike since I was
fourteen. At least, not when any one was by," added I, remembering
a private exploit of two days ago.
"Yes; I suppose you don't expect me not to know where that black
mud came from on your petticoat last night," remarked she,
sententiously. "Anyhow, I'd advise you to mend your frock, for the
squire's in the parlor, and your mother won't be pleased."
"The squire!" cried I. "Is he going to stay to dinner?"
"Not as I know of," answered the old woman. "But you had better
go and see. Joyce let him in, for I hadn't a clean apron, and I heard
him say that he had come to see the master on business."
"Well, so I suppose he did," answered I.
Deborah smiled, a superior sort of smile. She did not say anything,
but I knew very well what she meant. She was the only person in
the house who openly insisted that the squire came to the Grange
after Joyce. Mother may have thought it; I guessed from many little
signs that she did think it, but she never directly spoke of it. But
Deborah spoke of it, and spoke of it frankly.
It irritated me. I pushed past her roughly to reach the front parlor
windows. I wanted to see the squire to-day, for I wanted to find out
whether our new friend was staying at the Manor.
"You're never going in like that?" cried she.
"Certainly," replied I. "What's good enough for other folk is good
enough for the squire. The squire is nothing to me, nothing at all."
"That's true enough," laughed Deborah. "I don't know as he is
anything to you. But he may be something to other folk all the
same. And look here, Miss Spitfire, there may come a day, for all
your silly airs, when you may be glad enough that the squire is
something to some of you, and when you'd be very sorry if you'd
done anything to prevent it. You go and think that over."
I curled my lip in scorn. "You know I refuse to listen to any
insinuations, Deborah," said I. "The squire comes here to visit my
father, and we have no reason to suppose that he comes for
anything else."
This was quite true. The squire had certainly never said a word
that should lead us to imagine that he meant anything more by his
visits to the Grange than friendship for an old man laid by from his
active life by frequent attacks of gout; but if I had been quite
honest, I should have acknowledged that I, too, entertained the
same suspicion as Deborah did.
"The women must always needs be thinking the men be coming
after them," muttered Reuben, emerging from the darkness of a
shed to the left with an axe over his shoulder.
If I had been less preoccupied I should have laughed at the
audacity of this remark, which he would certainly not have dared to
make unless it had been for the support of my presence.
"It don't stand to reason," went on Deborah, scorning Reuben's
remark, "that a gentleman like the squire would come here and sit
hours long for naught but to hear the gentry-folk abused by the
master. It is a wonder he stands it as he do, for master is over-
unreasonable at times. But, Lord! you can't look in the squire's eyes
and not know he's got a good heart, and it's Miss Joyce's pretty face
that'll get it to do what she likes with, you may take my word for it.
The men they don't look to the mind so much as they look to the
face, and the temper—and Joyce, why, her temper's as smooth as
her skin; you can't say better than that."
This was true, and Deborah was right to say it in praise, although
I do believe in her heart she had even a softer spot for me and my
bad temper than for Joyce and her gentle ways.
"Birds of a feather, I suppose."
"You seem to think that it's quite an unnatural thing for two men
to talk politics together, Deborah," said I, with a superior air of
wisdom. "But perhaps the squire is wiser than you fancy, and thinks
that at his time of life politics should be more in his way than pretty
faces."
Deborah laughed, quite good-humoredly this time.
"Hark at the lass!" cried she. "The time may come when you won't
think a man of five-and-thirty too old to look at a woman, my dear."
 "Oh, I don't mind how old a man is!" laughed I, merrily, recovering
my good-humor at the remembrance of that second string I had to
my bow for my sister. "The men don't matter much to me—they
never look twice at me, you know well enough. But Joyce is too
handsome to marry an old widower, and I dare say if she waits a bit
there'll come somebody by who'll be better suited to her."
"Well, all I can say is, I hope she may have another chance as
good," insisted the obstinate old thing, shaking out the last stocking
viciously and hanging it onto the line. "But she hasn't got it yet, you
know; and if folk all behave so queer and snappish, maybe she won't
have it at all. But you must all please yourselves," added she, as
though she washed her hands of us now. And then giving me
another of her sharp glances, she said, in conclusion, "And you know
whether your mother will like to see you with a torn frock or not."
I went in with my head in the air. I thought it was very
impertinent of Deb to talk of "good chances" in connection with my
sister. I have learned to know her better since then.
Her desire for that marriage was not all ambition for Joyce. But at
that time I little guessed what she already scented in the air.
 CHAPTER IV.
It was a quarter of an hour before I reached the parlor, for I did
mend my frock in spite of my bit of temper. The cloth was laid for
dinner—a spotless cloth, for mother was very particular about her
table-linen—and the bright glass and the dinner-ware shone in the
sunlight. I can see the room now: a long, low room, with four
lattice-windows abreast, and a seat running the length of the
windows; opposite the windows a huge fireplace, across which ran
one heavy oaken beam bearing the date and the name of the
Maliphants, and supported by two stout masonry pillars, fashioned,
tradition said, out of that same soft stone of which a great part of
the abbey was built. Two high-backed wooden chairs, with delicate
spindle-rails, highly polished, and very elegant, stood close to the
blaze. There was also a pretty inlaid satinwood table in the far
corner that had belonged to mother's grandfather, and had been left
to her; but the rest of the furniture was plain dark oak, and had
been in the house ever since the Maliphants had owned it. It was a
sweet, cosey room, and if the windows, being old-fashioned and
somewhat small, did not admit all the sunlight they might, they also
did not let in the wind, of which there was plenty, for the parlor
faced towards the sea, and the gales in winter were sometimes
terrific.
We had another best-parlor, looking on the road, where were the
piano and the upholstered furniture, covered in brown holland on
common days; but though the pale yellow tabaret chairs and
curtains looked very pretty when they were all uncovered, we none
of us ever felt quite comfortable excepting in the big dwelling-room
that looked over the marsh. How well I remember it that day when
we were all there together! Father sat by the fire with his boots and
gaiters still on. He had been out for the first time after a severe
attack of his complaint, and he was very irritable. I thought Joyce
might have helped him off with the heavy things, but no doubt he
had refused; any offer of help was almost an insult to him. They
used to say I took after father in that. He was bending over the fire
that day, stretching out his fingers to the blaze—a powerful figure
still, though somewhat worn with hard work and the sufferings
which he never allowed to gain the upper-hand. But his back was
not bent—an out-door life, whatever other marks it may leave,
spares that one; his head was erect still—a remarkable head—the
gray hair, thick and strong, sticking up in obstinate little tufts without
any attempt at order or smoothness. It was not beautiful hair, for
the tufts were quite straight, but at least it was very characteristic; I
have never seen any quite like it. It was in keeping with the bushy
eyebrows that had just the same defiant expression as the tufts of
hair. The brow was high and prominent, the eyes keen and quick to
change, the jaw heavy and somewhat sullen. At first sight it might
not have been called a lovable face; it might rather have been called
a stern, even an unbending one; but that it was really lovable is
proved by the sure love and confidence with which it always inspired
little children. They came to father naturally as they would have
gone to the tenderest woman, and smiled in his face as though
certain beforehand of the smile that would answer theirs in return.
But father's face was sullen sometimes to a grown-up person. It
looked very sullen as he sat by the fire that day. I knew in a moment
that something had ruffled him.
Mother seemed to be doing her best, however, to make up for the
ill reception which her husband was giving his guest; and mother's
best was a very pretty thing. She was a very pretty woman, and she
looked her prettiest that day. She was tall—we were a tall family, I
was the shortest of us all—and her height looked even greater than
it was in the straight folds of the soft gray dress that suited so well
with her fair skin. She had a fresh white cap on; the soft fluted frills
came down in straight lines just below her ears, framing her face;
and the bands of snow-white hair, that looked so pretty beside the
fresh skin, were tucked away smoothly beneath it. Mother's face was
a young face still—as dainty in color as a little child's. Joyce took her
beauty from her.
Mother was standing up in the middle of the room talking to the
squire, who apparently was about to take his leave. Joyce was
putting the last touches to the dinner-table. She looked up at me in
an appealing kind of way as I came in, and I felt sure that there had
been some sort of difference between father and the squire. They
often did have little differences, though they were the best of friends
in reality; but I always secretly took father's side in every argument,
and I never liked to see mother, as it were, making amends for what
father had said. Yet it was what she was doing now. "I'm sure,
Squire Broderick," she was saying, "we take it very kindly of you to
interest yourself in our affairs. Laban is a little tetchy just now, but
it's because he ain't well. He feels just as I do really."
Father made an impatient sound with his lips at this, but mother
went on just the same.
"I'm quite of your mind," she declared, shaking her head. "I've
often said so to Laban myself. We can't go against Providence, and
we must learn to take help where we can get it, though I know
ofttimes it's just the hardest thing we have to do."
What could this speech mean? I was puzzled. I glanced at father.
He sat quite silent, tapping his foot. I glanced at Joyce. There was
nothing in her manner to show that the subject under discussion had
anything whatever to do with her. The squire had turned round as I
came into the room, but mother kept him so to herself that he could
do no more than give me a smile as I walked across and sat down in
the window-seat.
"I know it would be the best in the end," mother went on, with a
distressed look on her sweet old face.
It rather annoyed me at the time, simply because I saw that she
was siding with the squire against father; but I have often
remembered that, and many kindred looks since, and have
wondered how it was that I never guessed at the anxiety of that
tender spirit that labored so devotedly to cope with problems that
were beyond its grasp.
"However," added mother, with the pretty smile that, after all, I
remember more often than the knitted brow, "he'll come round
himself in time. He always does see things the way you put them
after a bit."
She said these words in a whisper, although they were really quite
loud enough for any one to hear. I saw father smile. He was so fond
of mother, and the words were so far from accurate, that he could
afford to smile; for there were very few instances in which he came
round to the squire's way of seeing things at that time, although he
was very fond of the squire. The squire himself laughed aloud. He
had a rich, rippling laugh; it did one good to hear it.
"No, no, ma'am," he said, "I can't agree to that; and no reason
why it should be so either." He held out his hand to mother as he
spoke.
"I must be off now," he added. "I ought to have gone long ago.
We'll talk it over again another time."
"Oh, won't you stay and have a bit of dinner with us, squire?"
cried mother, in a disappointed voice. "It's just coming in. I know it's
not what you have at home, but it is a fine piece of roast beef to-
day."
"Fie, fie, Mrs. Maliphant! don't you be so modest," said the squire,
with his genial smile, buttoning up his overcoat as he spoke.
He always had a gay, easy manner towards the mother—
something, I used to fancy, like what her own younger brother might
have had towards her, or even her own son, although at that time I
should have thought it impossible for a man as old to be mother's
son at all. I suppose it was in consequence of that sad time in the
past that he had grown to love her as I know he did.
"I don't often get a dinner such as I get at your table," added he;
"but I can't stay to-day, for I'm due at home."
 Just the words that young man had used at the foot of the village
street. I was determined to find out before the squire left whether
that young man was staying at the Manor or not.
"Perhaps Mr. Broderick has visitors, mother," I suggested.
I glanced at Joyce as I spoke. Her cheeks were poppies.
"What makes you think so?" asked the squire, turning to me and
frowning a little.
"We met a gentleman in town," said I, boldly, although my heart
beat a little; "he helped us with the mare when she reared, and he
said he was a friend of yours."
Mother looked at me, and Joyce blushed redder than ever.
Certainly, for a straightforward and simple young woman who had
no more than her legitimate share of vanity, Joyce had a most
unfortunate trick of blushing. I know it was admired, but I never
could see that folk must needs be more delicate of mind because
they blushed, or more sensitive of heart because they cried. The
squire frowned a little more and bit his lip.
"Ah, it must have been Frank," said he. "He did say he was going
to walk into town this morning. My nephew," added he, in
explanation, turning to mother. "Captain Forrester."
"Your nephew!" exclaimed mother, quite reassured. "He must be
but a lad."
"Oh, not at all; he's a very well-grown man, and of an age to take
care of himself," answered the squire, and it did not strike me then
that he said it a little bitterly. "My sister is a great deal older than I
am."
"Of course I have seen Mrs. Forrester," said mother, "and I know
she's a deal older than you are, but I never should have thought she
had a grown-up son—and a captain, too!"
"Oh yes, he's a captain," repeated the squire, and he took up his
hat and stick from the corner of the room and put his hand on the
door-knob. "Good-bye, Mr. Maliphant," cried he, cheerily, without
touching any more on the sore subject.
Father did not reply, and he turned to me and held out his hand.
"Good-bye," he said, more seriously than it seemed to me the
subject required. "I'm sorry the mare reared."
"See the squire to the door, Joyce," said the mother. And Joyce,
blushing again, glided out into the hall and lifted the big latch.
 CHAPTER V.
I was dying to hear what had been the subject of the difference
between Squire Broderick and father, for that it was somehow
related to something more closely allied to our own life than mere
politics, I was inwardly convinced. I came up to the fireplace and
began toasting my feet before the bars. I hoped father would say
something. But he did not even turn to me, and Deborah coming in
with the dinner at that moment, mother took her place at the head
of the table, and father asked a blessing. Mother did not look sad;
she looked very bright and pretty, with the sunshine falling on her
silvery hair, and on her white dimpled hands, lovely hands, that were
wielding the carvers so skilfully. I thought at the time that she did
not notice father's gloomy face, but I think it is far more likely that
she did notice it, but that she thought it wiser to leave him alone;
those were always her tactics.
"Father," began she, as soon as she had served us all and had sat
down, "the girls mustn't drive that mare any more if she rears; it
isn't safe."
"No, no, of course not," assented father, absently. Then turning to
me, "What made her rear, Meg?"
"I don't know, father," answered I. "I was in a shop when she did,
and a boy was holding her. I suppose he teased her. But it's not
worth talking about; it would have been nothing if Joyce hadn't been
so easily frightened."
"I couldn't help it," murmured Joyce. "I know I'm silly."
"Well, to be sure, any old cart-horse would be better for you than
a beast with any spirit, wouldn't it?" laughed I.
"Well, Margaret, the animal must have looked dangerous, you
know," said mother, "for no strange gentleman would have thought
of accosting two girls unless he saw they were really in need of
help."
I laughed—I am afraid I laughed. I thought mother was so very
innocent.
"I hope you thanked him for his trouble," added she. "Being the
squire's nephew, as it seems he was, I shouldn't be pleased to think
you treated him as short as you sometimes treat strangers. You,
Margaret, I mean," added mother, looking at me.
"Oh yes, we were very polite to him," said I. And then I grew very
hot. Of course I knew I was bound to say that Captain Forrester had
driven us home. I hoped mother would take it kindly, as she seemed
well disposed towards him, but I did not feel perfectly sure.
"We asked him to come in, didn't we, Joyce?" added I, looking at
her.
"Yes, we did," murmured my sister, bending very low over her
plate.
"Asked him to come where?" asked mother.
"Why, here, to be sure," cried I, growing bolder. "He drove us
home, you know."
Mother said nothing, for Deborah had just brought in the pudding,
and she was always very discreet before servants at meal-times. But
she closed her lips in a way that I knew, and her face assumed an
aggrieved kind of expression that she only put on to me; when Joyce
was in the wrong, she always scolded her quite frankly. There was
silence until Deborah had left the room. She went out with a smile
on her face which always drove me into a frenzy, for it meant to say,
"You are in for it, and serve you right;" and I thought it was taking
advantage of her position in the family to notice any differences that
occurred between mother and the rest of us.
When Deborah had gone out, shutting the door rather noisily,
mother laid down her knife and fork. She did not look at me at all,
she looked at Joyce. That was generally the way she punished me.
 "You don't mean to say, Joyce, that you allowed a strange
gentleman to get into the trap before all the townsfolk!" said she.
"You're the eldest—you ought to have known better."
I could not stand this. "It isn't Joyce's fault," said I, boldly; "I
thought we were in luck's way when the gentleman offered to drive
us. He knew the mare, and of course I felt that we were safe."
"It will be all over the place to-morrow," said mother, pathetically.
"Well, the gentleman is the squire's nephew, and everybody
knows what friends you are with the squire," answered I,
provokingly.
"You might see that makes it all the worse," answered mother. "I
don't know how ever I shall meet the squire again. I'm ashamed to
think my daughters should have behaved so unseemly. But the ideas
of young women in these days pass me. Such notions wouldn't have
gone down in my day. Young women were forced to mind
themselves if they were to have a chance of a husband. Your father
would never have looked at me if I had been one of that sort."
Father was in a brown-study. I do not think he had paid much
attention to the affair at all, but now he smiled as mother glanced
across at him, seeming to expect some recognition. She repeated
her last remark and then he said, bowing to her with old-fashioned
gallantry, "I think I should have looked at you, Mary, whatever your
shortcomings had been. You were too pretty to be passed over."
And he smiled again, as he never smiled at any one but mother;
the smile that, when it did come, lit up his face like a dash of broad
sunshine upon a rugged moor.
"But mother's quite right, lassies," added he; "a woman must be
modest and gentle, not self-seeking, nor eager for homage, or she'll
never have all the patience she need have to put up with a man's
tempers."
He sighed, and the tears rose to my eyes. A word of disapproval
from my father always hurt me to the quick, and I felt that in this
case it was not wholly deserved, as, however mistaken I might have
been, I had certainly not been self-seeking or eager for homage.
"I'm very sorry," said I, but I am afraid not at all humbly; "I didn't
know I was doing anything so very dreadful. Anyhow, it wasn't I who
was afraid of the horse, and it wasn't for me that Captain Forrester
took the reins."
This was quite true, but I had no business to have said it. I wished
the words back as soon as they were spoken. Joyce blushed scarlet
again, and mother looked at me for the first time. I felt that she was
going to ask what I meant, but father interrupted her.
"There, there," said he, not testily, but as though to put an end to
the discussion. "You should not have done it, because mother says
so, and mother always knows best, but I dare say there's little harm
done. A civil word hurts nobody; and as for the mare, you needn't
drive her again."
So that was all that I had got for my pains. I opened my mouth to
explain and to remonstrate, but father rose from the table and said
grace, and I dared not pursue the subject further. For the matter of
that, the look of pain in his face, as he moved across the room and
sat down heavily in the chair, was quite enough to chase away my
vexation against him. "Meg, just take these heavy things off for me,
I'm weary," said he. I knelt down and unfastened the gaiters, and
unlaced the heavy boots, and brought him his slippers. He lay back
with a sigh of relief.
"The walk round the farm has been too much for you, Laban,"
said mother, sitting down in the other high-backed chair near him.
"Let be, let be," muttered he.
"Nay, I can't let be, Laban," insisted mother. "I must look after
your health, you know. I can see very well that it is too much for you
seeing after the farm as it should be seen after. And that's why I
don't think the squire's notion is half a bad one."
 I stopped with the spoons and forks in my hand that I was taking
off the table. Father made that noise between his teeth again. I
always knew it meant a storm brewing.
"Anyhow, I hope you won't bear him a grudge for what he
thought fit to advise," mother went on. "He did it out of friendship,
I'm sure. And the squire's a wise man."
Father did not answer at first. He had risen and stood with his
back to the fire. His jaw was set, his eyes looked like black beads
under the overhanging brows.
"Of course I know you'll say he just wants to get a job for his
friend's son," continued mother. "And no doubt he mightn't have
thought of it but for this turning up. But he wouldn't advise it if he
didn't think it was for our good. The squire has our interests at
heart, I'm sure."
"D—n the squire," said father at last, slowly and below his breath.
Mother laid her hand on his arm.
"Hush, Laban, hush; not before the girls," said she, in her gentle
tones.
"Well, well, there," said he, "the squire's a good man and an
honest man, but I say neither he nor any one else has a right to
come and teach a man what to do with his own."
"He doesn't do it because of any right," persisted mother. "He
does it because he's afraid things don't work as well as they used to
do, and because he's your friend."
"And what business has he to be afraid?" retorted father. "I say
the land's my own, though I do pay him rent for it, and it's my
business to be afraid. Does he think I shall be behind-hand with the
rent? I've been punctual to a day these last twenty years. What
more does he want, I should like to know?"
"Now, Laban, you know that isn't it," expostulated mother. "He
knows he is safe enough for the rent, but he's afraid you ain't
making money so fast as you might. And of course if you aren't, it's
clear it's because you're not so strong to work as you were, and you
haven't got a son of your own to look after things for you."
Mother sighed as she said this, but I am afraid I looked at her
with angry not sympathetic eyes.
"The squire takes a true interest in us all," repeated she for the
third time, her voice trembling a little.
"Well, then, let him take his interest elsewhere this time, ma'am,
that's all I've got to say," retorted father, in no way appeased. "If
things were as they should be, there'd be no paying of rent to eat up
a man's profits on the land, but what he made by the sweat of his
brow would be his own for his old age, and for his children after
him. And if we can only get what ought to belong to the nation by
paying for it, then all I bargain for is—let those who get the money
from me leave alone prying into how I get it together."
I had stood perfectly still all this time, with the spoons and forks in
my hand, listening and wondering. Father's last speech I had
scarcely given heed to. I had heard those opinions before, and they
had become mere words in my ears. I was entirely engrossed with
wondering what was the exact nature of the squire's suggestion, and
with horror at what I feared. I was not long left in doubt.
"Well, you make a great mistake in being angry with Squire
Broderick, Laban, indeed you do," reiterated mother, shaking her
head, and without paying any attention to his fiery speech. She
never did pay any attention to such speeches. She always frankly
said that she did not understand them. "If the squire recommends
this young Mr. Trayton Harrod to you, it is because he knows him
and thinks he would work with you, and not be at all like any
common paid bailiff, I'm sure of that."
"Well, then, mother, all I can say is—it's nonsense—that is what it
is. It is nonsense. If a man is a paid bailiff, the more like one he is
the better. And I don't think it is at all likely I shall ever take a paid
bailiff to help me to manage Knellestone."
With that he strode to the door and opened it.
 "Meg, will you please come to me in my study in a quarter of an
hour?" said he, turning to me as he went out. "There are a few
things in the farm accounts that I think you might help me with."
 CHAPTER VI.
I went into the sunlight and stood leaning upon the garden-hedge
looking out over the glittering plain of snow to the glittering blue of
the sea beyond. The whole scene was set with jewels of light, and
even the gray fortress in the marsh seemed to awaken for once out
of its sleep; but I was in no mood to laugh with the sunbeams, for
my heart was beating with angry thoughts. A bailiff, a manager for
Knellestone—and Knellestone that had been managed by nobody
but its own masters for three hundred years! It was impossible!
Why, the very earth would rise up and rebel! From where I stood I
could see our meadows down on the marsh, our fields away on the
hills towards the sunset, the pastures where our shepherds spent
cold nights in huts at the lambing-time, the land where our oxen
drew the plough and our laborers tilled the soil and harvested the
ingatherings. Would the men and the beasts work for the manager
as they worked for us? Would the land prosper for a stranger and a
hireling, who would not care whether the cattle lived or died,
whether the seasons were kind or cruel, whether the trees and the
flowers flourished or pined away, who would get his salary just the
same, though the frost nipped the new crops, though the wheat
dried up for want of rain or rotted in the ear for lack of sun, though
the cows cast their calves and the lambs died at the birth? How
absurd, how ridiculous it was! Did it not show that it had been
suggested by one who took no interest in the land, but who let it all
out to others to care for? Of course this was some spendthrift
younger son of a ruined gentleman's family, or some idiot who had
failed at every other profession, and was to be sent here to ruin
other people without having any responsibility of his own—
somebody to whom the squire owed a duty or a favor. Perhaps a
man who had never been on a farm in his life, maybe had not even
lived in the country at all. In my childish anger I became utterly
unreasonable, and gave vent in my solitude to any absurd
expressions that occurred to me. I smile to myself as I remember
the impotent rage of that afternoon. Indeed, I think I hated the
squire most thoroughly that day. It was the idea, too, that I was
being set at naught that added to my anger. Hitherto it was I who
had transmitted father's orders to the men whenever he was laid by
or busy; and, as I have said before, he often trusted me to ride to
the bank with money, and even to take stock of the goods before
sales and fairs came on. Of course I know now that I was worse
than useless to him. I was a clever girl enough, and dauntless in the
matter of fatigue or trouble, but I was entirely ignorant of the
hundred little details that make all the difference in matters of that
kind, and pluck and coolness stood me in poor stead of experience.
But at that time I was confident, and as I stood there looking at the
brightness that I did not see, tears came into my eyes—tears of
mortification, that even the squire should have considered me so
perfectly useless that I could be set aside as though I did not exist.
How often I had wished to be a boy! How heartily I wished it that
afternoon! If I had been a boy there would never even have been a
question of getting a paid manager to help father. I should have
been a man by this time, nearly of age, and no one would have
doubted that I was clever enough and strong enough to see after
my own.
Father called from the window, and I went in. He was sitting by
the table, surrounded by papers, his foot supported on a chair.
"Sit down, Meg," said he. "I want you to help me remember one
or two things in the books that I don't quite understand—I think you
can."
He spoke quite cheerfully. I had been setting down things in the
book while he had been ill, and paying the wages to the men, and it
was quite natural he should want to see me about it. I sat down,
and we went over the books item by item. We had had a very sound
education, though simple, quite as good as most girls have, and I
had been considered more than usually smart at figures. But that
day I think I was dazed. I could not remember things; I could not
tell why the books were not square; my wits were muddled on every
point. Father was most patient, most kind. I think he must have
seen that I was over-anxious, but his kindness only made me more
disgusted with myself; for I knew that that dreadful question was in
his mind the whole time, as it was in mine.
Whenever I told him anything that was not satisfactory in the
conduct of affairs, or anything that had failed to turn out as he
expected, I knew that it was in his mind, although he did not think I
saw it.
"We can't expect old heads to grow on young shoulders," said he
at last, patting mine gently, a thing most rare for him to do. "It takes
many a long day to learn experience, my dear. And sometimes we
don't do so much better with it than we did without it." He put the
books away as he spoke, and leaned back in his chair. "That'll do
now, child," he added; "to-morrow I shall be able to see the men
myself. I am well and hearty again now—thank the Lord—and a
good bit of work will do me good."
"You mustn't begin too soon, father," said I, timidly; "you know
the weather is very cold and treacherous yet."
"Oh, you women would keep a man in-doors forever for fear the
wind should blow in his face," cried he, testily. "But there's an end to
everything. When I'm ill you shall all do what you like with me, but
when I'm well I mean to be my own master."
"But I shall still be able to help you, father, as I have done before,
sha'n't I?" added I, still, singularly, without my accustomed self-
confidence.
"Why, yes, child, of course," he replied. "And you and I will be
able to get on yet awhile without a stranger's help, I'll warrant." It
was the only allusion he had made to the horrible subject during the
whole of our interview. It was the only allusion he made to it in my
presence for many a long day. He rose from his chair as he spoke
the last words, and walked across to the window.
 The afternoon was beginning to sink, and the sun had paled in its
splendor. The lights were gray now over the whiteness of the marsh,
and the snow looked cold and cruel. Something made my heart sink,
too, as I noticed how gray was father's face in the scrutinizing light
of the afternoon. I had not noticed before that he had really been ill.
I left the room quickly, and went out again. The stinging March air
struck a chill into my bones, and yet it was scarcely more than four
o'clock. Two hours of daylight yet! How was it possible that any man
but the strongest should work as a man must work whose farm
should prosper? And was father really a strong man? I was sick with
misgivings. What if, after all, the squire were right? But I would not
believe it. Father had had the gout; it was always the strongest men
who had the gout.
I turned to go in-doors. A laugh greeted my ears from the library.
I passed before the window. Yes; it was father who was laughing as
he shook hands with a man who had just entered the room. I
looked. The man was a tall, blond, spare fellow, with a sanguine
complexion, very marked features, small gray eyes, and a bald head.
I knew him to be a Mr. Hoad, father's solicitor in town. He was well
dressed in a black suit and gray trousers. He was a very successful
man for his time of life, people said. I knew that father liked him,
and I was glad that father should have a visitor who cheered him to-
day. But for my own part, I knew no one who filled me with such a
peculiar antipathy. I could not bear the sight of the man. Yet he was
a harmless kind of fellow, and very polite to ladies. Joyce often used
to take me to task for my excessive dislike to him. If it was because
I did not consider him on equal terms with us, from a social point of
view—for I must confess I was ridiculously prejudiced on this score,
and where I had learned such nonsense I do not know—then the
ship-owners and other people of that class to whom I could give
"good-day" in town were much less so. But I could not have told
why I disliked him so particularly; I could not have told why I
wondered that father could have any dealings with him—why I was
always on the watch for something that should prove that I was in
the right in my instinct. And somehow his appearance on this
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