He added that if his Lordship were well enough, they might go to look at
the site.
So they went, all of them. Ascending a sloping, ancient path that was
never precipitous, they came to the place, a flat tableland that perhaps
measured an acre and a half, which by some freak of nature had been
scooped out of the side of the koppie, and was backed by a precipitous
cliff in which were caves. The front part of this plateau, that which
approached to and overhung the river, was of virgin rock, but the
acre or so behind was filled with very rich soil that in the course of
centuries had been washed down from the sides of the koppie, or resulted
from the decomposition of its material.
"The very place," said the Bishop. "The access is easy. The house would
stand here--no need to dig deep foundations in this stone, and behind,
when those trees have been cleared away, you could have a beautiful and
fertile garden where anything will grow. Also, look, there is a stream
of pure water running from some spring above. It is an ideal site for a
house, not more than three minutes' walk from the church below, the best
I should say in the whole valley. And then, consider the view."
Everyone agreed, and they were leaving the place in high spirits,
Dorcas, who had household matters to attend, having already departed,
when whom should they encounter but Menzi seated on a stone just where
the path began to descend.
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