"I've brought you up so much to have your own way," Jack returned in a leisurely fashion, "that I'm afraid it's too late to begin now to try to control you. I wish you luck."
They were silent for some minutes. Mrs. Neligage had been mending a glove for her son, and when she had finished it, she rose and brought it to him. She stood a minute regarding him with an unwonted softness in her glance.
"Dear boy," she said, with a tender note in her voice, "I haven't thanked you for the money you sent Langdon."
He threw his cigarette away, half turning his face from her as he did so.
"It's no use to bring that up again," he said. "I'm only sorry I couldn't have the satisfaction of kicking him."
She shook her head.
"I've wanted you to a good many times," returned she, "but that's a luxury that we couldn't afford. It would cost too much." She hesitated a moment, and added: "It must have left you awfully hard up, Jack."
"Oh, I'm going into the bank. I'm a reformed man, you know, so that doesn't matter. If I can't play polo what good is money?"
His mother sighed.
"I do wish Providence would take my advice about giving the money round," she remarked impatiently. "Things would be a great deal better arranged."