Persuasion | Page 9

very
responsible tenants. Many a noble fortune has been made during the
war. If a rich admiral were to come in our way, Sir Walter--"
"He would be a very lucky man, Shepherd," replied Sir Walter; "that's
all I have to remark. A prize indeed would Kellynch Hall be to him;
rather the greatest prize of all, let him have taken ever so many before;

hey, Shepherd?"
Mr Shepherd laughed, as he knew he must, at this wit, and then added--
"I presume to observe, Sir Walter, that, in the way of business,
gentlemen of the navy are well to deal with. I have had a little
knowledge of their methods of doing business; and I am free to confess
that they have very liberal notions, and are as likely to make desirable
tenants as any set of people one should meet with. Therefore, Sir
Walter, what I would take leave to suggest is, that if in consequence of
any rumours getting abroad of your intention; which must be
contemplated as a possible thing, because we know how difficult it is to
keep the actions and designs of one part of the world from the notice
and curiosity of the other; consequence has its tax; I, John Shepherd,
might conceal any family-matters that I chose, for nobody would think
it worth their while to observe me; but Sir Walter Elliot has eyes upon
him which it may be very difficult to elude; and therefore, thus much I
venture upon, that it will not greatly surprise me if, with all our caution,
some rumour of the truth should get abroad; in the supposition of which,
as I was going to observe, since applications will unquestionably
follow, I should think any from our wealthy naval commanders
particularly worth attending to; and beg leave to add, that two hours
will bring me over at any time, to save you the trouble of replying."
Sir Walter only nodded. But soon afterwards, rising and pacing the
room, he observed sarcastically--
"There are few among the gentlemen of the navy, I imagine, who
would not be surprised to find themselves in a house of this
description."
"They would look around them, no doubt, and bless their good
fortune," said Mrs Clay, for Mrs Clay was present: her father had
driven her over, nothing being of so much use to Mrs Clay's health as a
drive to Kellynch: "but I quite agree with my father in thinking a sailor
might be a very desirable tenant. I have known a good deal of the
profession; and besides their liberality, they are so neat and careful in
all their ways! These valuable pictures of yours, Sir Walter, if you

chose to leave them, would be perfectly safe. Everything in and about
the house would be taken such excellent care of! The gardens and
shrubberies would be kept in almost as high order as they are now. You
need not be afraid, Miss Elliot, of your own sweet flower gardens being
neglected."
"As to all that," rejoined Sir Walter coolly, "supposing I were induced
to let my house, I have by no means made up my mind as to the
privileges to be annexed to it. I am not particularly disposed to favour a
tenant. The park would be open to him of course, and few navy officers,
or men of any other description, can have had such a range; but what
restrictions I might impose on the use of the pleasure-grounds, is
another thing. I am not fond of the idea of my shrubberies being always
approachable; and I should recommend Miss Elliot to be on her guard
with respect to her flower garden. I am very little disposed to grant a
tenant of Kellynch Hall any extraordinary favour, I assure you, be he
sailor or soldier."
After a short pause, Mr Shepherd presumed to say--
"In all these cases, there are established usages which make everything
plain and easy between landlord and tenant. Your interest, Sir Walter,
is in pretty safe hands. Depend upon me for taking care that no tenant
has more than his just rights. I venture to hint, that Sir Walter Elliot
cannot be half so jealous for his own, as John Shepherd will be for
him."
Here Anne spoke--
"The navy, I think, who have done so much for us, have at least an
equal claim with any other set of men, for all the comforts and all the
privileges which any home can give. Sailors work hard enough for their
comforts, we must all allow."
"Very true, very true. What Miss Anne says, is very true," was Mr
Shepherd's rejoinder, and "Oh! certainly," was his daughter's; but Sir
Walter's remark was, soon afterwards--

"The profession has its utility, but I should be sorry to see any