The Foot of Time: A Novel of Australia and the South Seas: (1933)

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188 THE FOOT OF TIME
he looked at Jean with a curious expression. "A
change, that's what you'll be wanting the nou, I
ken. A change, aye. You'll be finding it lonesome
all by yourself, Sare—lonesome."
"And so, Mackenzie," the owner took up the discussion,
"I thought it a propitious occasion to talk
over that little nest-egg of yours." He indicated
Mrs. Mackenzie as being part owner of it. "Maybe
you would both welcome a substantial addition to
it.
))
"You mean, Sir?"
"That there is always just the possibility that I
may not be returning, except as a visitor, shall we
say? And so in case such an eventuality should
happen, I should like to go fully with you both into
the question of my successor in the estate management."
"Ay, Sir," agreed Mackenzie. "But the gardens
will take some looking after with you gone. We'll
be missing you Bare y.
"I think I am safe in leaving the sole management
in your husband's capable hands, Mrs. Mackenzie.
What do you say?"
"It's a great responsibility," Mrs. Mackenzie told
him, "but my man will rise to it. Never fear of
that, Sir Bruce."
"Then I may take it as settled, without the details:
settled in principle, eh?"
"Ay, Sir Bruce. 'Am not saying but what it is
a responsibility and a duty, Sir, after my ain hairt.
With the help of Mrs. Mackenzie and the grace of
God, 'am ready to agree with you that 'am com-
THE FOOT OF TIME
189
petent to undertake it. As to the tearms—weel, we
can agree finely upon them, 'am confeedent, Sir
Bruce."
Arbuthnot could not but notice that his submanager,
while ready to concede some reliability
upon his Maker for the unknown future, still put
his wife first. It secretly amused the elderly baronet,
but suited his book completely. The tea gardens,
all carrying their own managers and assistants,
could not have a more reliable senior manager than
his true old friend, supported by this strong
opinioned. capable and clever wife.
And so they came down to details, came down to
the discussion of terms and agreements, and the
outcome justified the Mackenzies in feeling confident
that within a few years—if tea kept anywhere
near its present high value—they would
emerge really well to do people, able, if they chose,
to retire to old Scotland with a well-feathered nest.
When all details were finalised, and only the
signing of new agreements before their legal adviser
down in Darjeeling remained to be concluded,
Mrs. Mackenzi, with characteristic caution, enquired,
"Nothing has been arranged, Sir Bruce,
against the definite possibility of your return. You
remain sole owner, but you might be disappointed
by retired life at home, or even by the travel which
you speak about."
"Madam," Sir Bruce reassured her, "I'm a difficult
man to gainsay when once my mind is fully made
up on any point. I don't think you will be seeing
me back, other than as visiting owner. If you do,