22 BIRDS IN TOWN AND VILLAGE 



further to walk. The new lord wisely took this 

 into consideration, and set himself to win the 

 goodwill of the people before attempting any 

 strong measures. He walked in the lanes and 

 was affable to the cottage women and nice to the 

 children, and by and bye he exclaimed, "What! 

 No institute ! no hall, or any place where you can 

 meet and spend the long winter evenings? Well, 

 I'll soon see to that." And soon, to their de- 

 light, they had a nice building reared on a piece 

 of land which he bought for the purpose, fur- 

 nished with tables, chairs, bagatelle boards, and 

 all accessories; and he also supplied them with 

 newspapers and magazines. He was immensely 

 popular, but appeared to think little of what he 

 had done. When they expressed their gratitude 

 to him he would move his hand, and answer, 

 "Oh, I'm going to do a great deal more than that 

 for you!" 



A few months went by, then he caused a notice 

 to be put up about the neighbourhood that the 

 path through the wood was going to be closed 

 "by order." No one took any notice, and a few 

 weeks later his workmen appeared on the scene 

 and erected a huge oakwood barrier across the 



