“Yes; but I shall come all the same! The place is notoriously healthy, I dare say you may get some good fishing, you will hardly have anything to do—they won’t go out much—of course you’ll pay a boy to clean the car, and I’ve no doubt that the old ladies will take an enormous fancy to you and leave you a fortune, and you will be just as happy as the day is long.”
“Oh, all right. Then, in that case, my dear Sis, since you say there is a chance of a great fortune and good fishing, you may book me for the situation by the next post.”
CHAPTER V
PLANS AND THREATS
When the choice of Owen’s future employment was duly imparted to his uncle and brother-in-law, the latter received it with approval, the former with a series of alarming explosions.
“His nephew—his heir—a common chauffeur! Outrageous! Why not enlist, and be the King’s servant, if livery he must wear?” Then, in a tone of angry sarcasm, “I see—I see his reason. The fellow will be gadding round, making believe to himself it’s his own machine; to many young asses, driving a car is an extraordinary pleasure. Yes, that’s why he hit on it!” and he slapped his leg with a gesture of triumph.
“You are wrong, Uncle Richard, it was I who hit on it,” protested the culprit. “Owen never had an idea of being a chauffeur till I suggested it.”
“That’s likely enough; his ideas are few and far between. Well, now look here, Leila, I forbid him to adopt your plan.”
“But, my dear uncle, have you not washed your hands of him for the next two years?” she demanded, with raised brows. “Do you really think you are consistent?”
“But a greasy chauffeur, got up in black leather, like a boot——”
“The pay is not bad, it’s a job he can manage, and, after all, you will allow that Owen must live; or are you going to say, ‘Je n’en vois pas la necessité’?”