Fealty to the Lord of Lower Withymarsh

"There's not some catch?" Lucy asked the stout, mustachioed solicitor.

"Heh," Edmund Netherwood said.

Augustus Henshawe cleared his throat. "Hopvine Cottage is an entailed portion of the feudal domain of Lower Withymarsh," he said. "As part of the feudal obligation, the holder of Hopvine Cottage owes a tithe of two yearling bullocks and forty bushels of barley to the lord, due at Whitsuntide."

Lucy nodded without much comprehension.

"Fifty days after Easter," Edmund rasped to Clarissa.

"Your maintenance will cover that with ease," the solicitor continued. "In addition, you must make feudal obeisance to the Lord of Lower Withymarsh before you take possession."

"Who is the Lord of Lower Withymarsh?" Lucy asked.

"Heh," Edmund Netherwood repeated.