Then I shall own all the land surrounding it, and
my estate will be worthy of the name which I have given it--Wideview--
for nobody's else property will obstruct my view in any direction. I
shall name this," and he pointed to the pond, "Florence Lake after my
eldest daughter. What do you think of Captain Hornaby?"
Quincy hesitated--"He's a typical Englishman--healthy, hearty, but
with that English conceit that always grates on my nerves."
"Are we Americans free from it?" his father asked. "To my mind,
conceit is often but the indication of self-conscious power. Its
possessors never acknowledge defeat I have always had that feeling in
my law practice."
Quincy changed the subject, "What have you in the boat house?"
"Canoes--three canoes. I have ordered a large row-boat but it is not
ready yet. When I own the 'lake' and the land beyond, my residence
will stand in the centre of my estate. I shall retire from practice
in a few years, and spend my last days here. We all have to go back
to the soil and I am going to make my progress gradual."
"Won't you find it rather dull here after so long an active life in
the city?"
"Not dull, but quiet," was the dignified response. "I shall pass my
time surveying the beauties of Nature to which, to my discredit, I
have been so long oblivious; then, I shall commune with the great
minds in literature, and read the latest law reports.
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