|
||||||||
What is to be done then? said Osborne, only half believing his fathers words. Why, you must learn to stop at home, and not take expensive journeys; and you must reduce your tailors bill. I dont ask you to help me in the management of the land youre far too fine a gentleman for that; but if you cant earn money, at least you neednt spend it. Ive told you Im willing enough to earn money, cried Osborne, passionately at last. But how am I to do it? You really are very unreasonable, sir. Am I? said the Squirecooling in manner, though not in temper, as Osborne grew warm. But I dont set up for being reasonable; men who have to pay away money that they havent got for their extravagant sons arent likely to be reasonable. Theres two things youve gone and done which put me beside myself, when I think of them; youve turned out next door to a dunce at college, when your poor mother thought so much of youand when you might have pleased and gratified her so, if you had chosen,and, well! I wont say what the other thing is. Tell me, sir, said Osborne, almost breathless with the idea that his father had discovered his secret marriage; but the father was thinking of the money-lenders, who were calculating how soon Osborne would come into the estate. No! said the Squire. I know what I know; and Im not going to tell you how I know it. Only, Ill just say thisyour friends no more know a piece of good timber when they see it than you or I know how you could earn five pounds, if it was to keep you from starving. Now, theres Rogerwe none of us made an ado about him; but hell have his Fellowship now, Ill warrant him, and be a bishop, or a chancellor, or something, before weve found out hes cleverweve been so much taken up thinking about you. I dont know whats come over me to speak of wewe in this way, said he, suddenly dropping his voicea change of voice as sad as sad could be. I ought to say I; it will be I for evermore in this world. He got up and left the room in quick haste, knocking over his chair, and not stopping to pick it up. Osborne, who was sitting and shading his eyes with his hand, as he had been doing for some time, looked up at the noise, and then rose as quickly and hurried after his father, only in time to hear the study-door locked on the inside, the moment he reached it. Osborne returned into the dining-room, chagrined and sorrowful. But he was always sensitive to any omission of the usual observances, which might excite remark; and, even with his heavy heart, he was careful to pick up the fallen chair, and restore it to its place near the bottom of the table, and afterwards so to disturb the dishes as to make it appear that they had been touched, before ringing for Robinson. When the latter came in, followed by Thomas, Osborne thought it necessary to say to him that his father was not well, and had gone into the study; and that he himself wanted no dessert, but would have a cup of coffee in the drawing-room. The old butler sent Thomas out of the room, and came up confidentially to Osborne. I thought master wasnt justly himself, Mr. Osborne, before dinner. And, therefore, I made excuses for himI did. He spoke to Thomas about the fire, sir, which is a thing I could in nowise put up with, unless by reason of sickness, which I am always ready to make allowances for. Why shouldnt my father speak to Thomas? said Osborne. He spoke angrily, I daresay; for Im sure hes not well. No, Mr. Osborne, it wasnt that. I myself am given to anger; and Im blessed with as good health as any man in my years. Besides, angers a good thing for Thomas. He needs a deal of it. But it should come from the right quarter and that is me, myself, Mr. Osborne. I know my place, and I know my rights and duties as well as any butler that lives. And its my duty to scold Thomas, and not masters. Master ought to have said, Robinson! you must speak to Thomas about letting out the fire, and Id ha given it |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Copyright: All texts on Bibliomania are © Bibliomania.com Ltd, and may not be reproduced in any form without our written permission. See our FAQ for more details. | ||||||||