"He's put in a
list as long as your arm of repairs he wants doing."
Coventry laughed good-humouredly.
"I suppose they'll all be sticking me for alterations and repairs now I've
come back," he said. "What's the use of a landlord unless you can squeeze
something out of him?"
"I'm afraid there is a bit of that attitude about most tenants," admitted
Robin. "I expect the new owner of the Priory will get let in for the same
thing. One or two of the Priory cottages want doing up, it's true."
"Have you seen her yet, Robin?" inquired Ann quickly, with feminine
curiosity.
"Mrs. Hilyard, do you mean? No, I didn't come across her this morning."
"_Who_ did you say?" asked Coventry.
Something in the quality of his voice brought Ann's eyes swiftly to his
face. All the geniality had gone out of it. It was set and stern, and there
was an odd watchfulness in the glance he levelled at Robin as he spoke.
"Mrs. Hilyard--the new owner of the Priory," explained Robin. "She arrived
yesterday."
"Hilyard?" repeated Coventry. "Some one told me the name was Hilton. You
don't know what Hilyard she is, I suppose?"
"No, I don't know anything about her. But Hilyard's a fairly common name.
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