"I should have a very poor opinion of you if you could! Your mother ought to be your first consideration. The young folks will be able soon to fight their own way in life; but your mother will be getting older, and she will need your care. But what then? If you and Jessie have to wait longer than you had intended where is the harm? Just tell Jessie frankly how things are, and see what she will say. That is my advice. What does your mother think?"
"I haven't bothered her much, sir. She's been but poorly, and she's left things mostly to me. I'll have to tell her all soon. She knows we've got to part with the shop and live in a smaller house, and she knows about Mr. Mokes' offer and Mr. Ward's. She seems to cling-like to the thought of Old Maxham, and not to want to go away. But if things are to be up between me and Jessie, I'd sooner be a good way off."
"Have a talk with Jessie first, and see what she will say. I fancy you will see ahead more clearly then. After that you can go into things with your mother. But don't hurry on arrangements too fast. She has had a heavy blow, and you must give her time. People who are very brave at the first often suffer more afterwards."
"Yes, I think that's mother's way, sir. She seems sort of dazed, as if she couldn't take it all in."
"Don't force her yet. Mokes will not hurry you out of the house I am sure. No—so I thought. He really is kind-hearted at the bottom. Jack, I am going to give you back the sovereign that was your father's donation to the lifeboat fund. We can do without it now, and I think your mother's needs are greater. You needn't say anything about it to her, unless you wish. Since that gift of ninety pounds came in, it has all gone swimmingly, and I hope to have no further difficulties. The boat is to be sent as soon as it can be ready. So you need have no scruples."
Jack's hand went behind him.
"I couldn't, please, sir; I couldn't do it. Don't ask me. I know father liked to give that sovereign, and I shouldn't be happy to take it back. Please let it be."
"Well, if you choose. I must not insist. But if you change your mind in the course of a week or two, mind you tell me."
"And you've no notion who it was as gave the ninety pounds, sir?"
"I have had a good many notions, but no certainty. Nothing beyond conjecture, and conjecture isn't worth much. Besides, it really isn't our business if the good man wishes to keep his secret."