John sat still during this period. His sight was inward and
consequently his eyes were dropped. Harry was restless, his sight was
outward and his eyes far-seeking. He was the first to speak.
"John," he said, in a tone holding both anger and grief, "John, you
behaved unkindly to me this evening. You either persuaded mother to talk
as she did, or you fell in with her intention and helped her."
"You might speak plainer, Harry."
"I will. Both mother and you, either by accident or agreement, prevented
me naming Lucy. Lucy was the only subject I wanted to talk about, and
you prevented me."
"If I did, it was the wisest and kindest thing I could do."
"For yourselves--but how about me?"
"I was thinking of you only."
"Then you must think of Lucy with me."
"It is not yet a question of _must_. If it comes to that, both mother
and I will do all the situation calls for. In the interval, we do not
wish to discuss circumstances we may never be compelled to face."
"Then you are counting on my being drowned at sea, or on Lucy dying or
else marrying someone while I am away.
Pages:
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124