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and all the qualities of a soldier; and Dobbin told the old father as many stories as he could remember regarding the gallantry and achievements of his son. And Georgy is so like him, the Major added. Hes so like him that he makes me tremble sometimes, the grandfather said. On one or two evenings the Major came to dine with Mr. Osborne (it was during the time of the sickness of Mr. Sedley), and as the two sat together in the evening after dinner, all their talk was about the departed hero. The father boasted about him according to his wont, glorifying himself in recounting his sons feats and gallantry, but his mood was at any rate better and more charitable than that in which he had been disposed until now to regard the poor fellow; and the Christian heart of the kind Major was pleased at these symptoms of returning peace and good-will. On the second evening old Osborne called Dobbin William, just as he used to do at the time when Dobbin and George were boys together, and the honest gentleman was pleased by that mark of reconciliation . On the next day at breakfast, when Miss Osborne, with the asperity of her age and character, ventured to make some remark reflecting slightingly upon the Majors appearance or behaviourthe master of the house interrupted her. Youd have been glad enough to git him for yourself, Miss O. But them grapes are sour. Ha! ha! Major William is a fine feller. That he is, Grandpapa, said Georgy approvingly; and going up close to the old gentleman, he took a hold of his large grey whiskers, and laughed in his face good-humouredly, and kissed him. And he told the story at night to his mother, who fully agreed with the boy. Indeed he is, she said. Your dear father always said so. He is one of the best and most upright of men. Dobbin happened to drop in very soon after this conversation, which made Amelia blush perhaps, and the young scapegrace increased the confusion by telling Dobbin the other part of the story. I say, Dob, he said, theres such an uncommon nice girl wants to marry you. Shes plenty of tin; she wears a front; and she scolds the servants from morning till night. Who is it? asked Dobbin. Its Aunt O., the boy answered. Grandpapa said so. And I say, Dob, how prime it would be to have you for my uncle. Old Sedleys quavering voice from the next room at this moment weakly called for Amelia, and the laughing ended. That old Osbornes mind was changing was pretty clear. He asked George about his uncle sometimes, and laughed at the boys imitation of the way in which Jos said God-bless-my-soul and gobbled his soup. Then he said, Its not respectful, sir, of you younkers to be imitating of your relations. Miss O., when you go out adriving to-day, leave my card upon Mr. Sedley, do you hear? Theres no quarrel betwigst me and him anyhow. The card was returned, and Jos and the Major were asked to dinnerto a dinner the most splendid and stupid that perhaps ever Mr. Osborne gave; every inch of the family plate was exhibited, and the best company was asked. Mr. Sedley took down Miss O. to dinner, and she was very gracious to him; whereas she hardly spoke to the Major, who sat apart from her, and by the side of Mr. Osborne, very timid. Jos said, with great solemnity, it was the best turtle soup he had ever tasted in his life, and asked Mr. Osborne where he got his Madeira. It is some of Sedleys wine, whispered the butler to his master. Ive had it a long time, and paid a good figure for it, too, Mr. Osborne said aloud to his guest, and then whispered to his right-hand neighbour how he had got it at the old chaps sale. More than once he asked the Major aboutabout Mrs. George Osbornea theme on which the Major could be very eloquent when he chose. He told Mr. Osborne of her sufferingsof her passionate attachment to her husband, whose memory she worshipped stillof the tender and dutiful manner in which she had supported her parents, and given up her boy, when it seemed to her her duty to do so. You dont know what she endured, sir, said honest Dobbin with a tremor in his voice, and I hope and trust you will be reconciled to her. If she took your son away from you, she gave hers to you; and however much you loved your George, depend on it, she loved hers ten times more. |
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