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He, too, had thought that Sir Thomas would never again do anything in the world, unless that book should be written of which he had so often heard hints, though never yet, with any accuracy, its name or subject. Sir Thomas, he was told, had been at Percycross, but was not supposed to be there now. "Of course he was in his chambers," said Clarissa. "Old Stemm does know how to tell lies so well!"
At any rate, I mean to have the books packed at once." "Very well, Sir Thomas." Then there was a pause, during which Stemm did not leave the room. Nor did Sir Thomas dismiss him, feeling that there might well be other things which would require discussion. "And about me, Sir Thomas?" said Stemm. "I have been thinking about that, Stemm." "So have I, Sir Thomas, more nor once."
On their second visit they did make their way into their father's sanctum, and they never knew whether in truth he had been there when they called before. "Old Stemm doesn't in the least mind what lies he tells," Clarissa had said. To this Patience made no reply, feeling that the responsibility for those figments might not perhaps lie exclusively on old Stemm's shoulders.
"He told me he was, anyhow," said Stemm, "I didn't tell you nothing of the kind," said Neefit. "But you come from Percycross?" said Sir Thomas. "No I don't; I comes from Conduit Street," said Neefit. "You must go away," said Stemm, leaving the door open, and advancing into the room as though to turn the enemy's flank.
But I don't see how you're not to go on now, Sir Thomas. If it wasn't for petitions, one wouldn't mind." "There must be petitions, of course; and if there be good cause for them, they should succeed." "No doubt, Sir Thomas. They say the bribery at Percycross was tremenjous; but I suppose it was on the other side." "If it was on our side, Stemm, it was not so with my knowledge.
"Sir Thomas is very busy," old Stemm would say, shaking his head, even to his master's daughters, "and if you wouldn't mind " Then he would make a feint as though to close the door, and would go through various manoeuvres of defence before he would allow the fort to be stormed. But Clarissa would ridicule old Stemm to his face, and Patience would not allow herself to be beaten by him.
Permission, however, was given, and it was understood that Patience would write to the two young men, Ralph of Beamingham Hall and the parson, asking them to dinner for the day but one following. "As the time is so short, I've written the notes ready," said Patience, producing them from her pocket. Then the bell was rung, and the two notes were confided to Stemm.
This was written on Friday night, and was posted on the Saturday morning by the faithful hand of Joseph Stemm; who, however, did not hesitate to declare to himself, as he read the address, that his master was a fool for his pains.
Trigger, announcing his journey to London, and Mr. Trigger and Sir Thomas had their first meeting after the election, immediately upon Mr. Neefit's departure from the chambers. "And is it to be?" asked Stemm, as soon as he had closed the door behind Mr. Trigger's back. "Is what to be?" "Them petitions, Sir Thomas? Petitions costs a deal of money they tell me, Sir Thomas." Sir Thomas winced.
I don't know what he'll have to do." "It won't matter to him, papa; will it? And then he told me another piece of news." "What is it?" "You won't like it, papa. We didn't like it at all." "What is it, my dear?" "Stemm says that Ralph has sold all the Newton Priory estate to his uncle." "It is the best thing he could do." "Really, papa?" "I think so.
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