"Oh, dear no; by no means. In such cases the principal must show himself. Besides, it is right you should know how matters stand. Who is so much interested in it as you are? Poor Frank! I so often feel for you when I think how the property has dwindled."
"Pray do not mind me, mother. Why should you talk of it as my matter while my father is not yet forty-five? His life, so to speak, is as good as mine. I can do very well without it; all I want is to be allowed to settle to something."
"You mean a profession."
"Yes; something of that sort."
"They are so slow, dear Frank. You, who speak French so well—I should think my brother might get you in as attaché to some embassy."
"That wouldn't suit me at all," said Frank.
"Well, we'll talk about that some other time. But I came about something else, and I do hope you will hear me."
Frank's brow again grew black, for he knew that his mother was about to say something which it would be disagreeable for him to hear.
"I was with Mary, yesterday."
"Well, mother?"