Page:Barr--Stranleighs millions.djvu/271

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THE EARL AT PLAY
259

when a man comes to London he must dress as Londoners do."

"Well, you certainly succeed marvellously, Mr. Pitts."

"I don't deny that I'm more than an ordinary fisherman. I am supposed to possess a talent for organisation, and I've organised that little town so that we make the most of ourselves. We don't send our fish to Billingsgate, but deal direct with the public, and I write the advertisements that appear from time to time in the newspapers. As a boy I had a good schooling, if I do say it myself. The men make more by their fishing than ever they did before I took hold. Then the women have been taught lace-making, and Pebblesdale is acquiring quite a reputation as one centre of the lace trade. Why, you can buy our work in Bond Street. Both men and women depute me to do the business part of the combination, and this brings me a good deal to London, although I always grudge the time spent away from Pebblesdale, which is one of the most beautiful little places in all England. It lies in a steep valley, running down to a little cove that forms the harbour for our fishing boats. You should come and paint in Pebblesdale, Miss Drummond."

"I wish I could, but I can't afford it."

"I shall give you two pounds for this picture, Miss Drummond."

"Oh, but you can't afford that!"