“Yes? George!” cried Susan, “what do you mean by yes? It is about going to Australia.”
“The answer is yes,” said George.
The servant went away with the answer.
The others remained motionless.
“This nobleman's son respects me if worse folk don't. But it is not the great bloodhounds and greyhounds that bark at misfortune's heels, it is only the village curs, when all is done. This is my path. I'll pack up my things and go.” And he did not look at Susan or any of them, but went into the house like a man walking in his sleep.
There was a stupefied pause.
Then Susan gave a cry like a wounded deer.
“Father! what have you done?”
Merton himself had been staggered, but he replied stoutly:
“No more than my duty, girl, and I hope you will do no less than yours.”