what she had for the child, she cannot keep an effective servant. I think of going to help her out.’
‘That woman?’
‘Well, I do owe her a duty! I robbed her of her own child, and it is cruel to deprive her of mine when she has had all the trouble of his babyhood. Money would not do the thing, even if I had it. I have brought it on myself, and it is the only atonement in my power; so I mean to occupy two or three of her rooms, work there, and let her have the satisfaction of “doing for me.” When you are in town, I shall hop into Woolstone-lane. You will give me holidays here, won’t you? And whenever you want me, let me be your son? To that you know I reserve my right,’ and he bent towards her affectionately.
‘It is very right—very noble,’ she was faltering forth. He turned quickly, the tears, ready to fall, springing quite forth.
‘Honor! you have not been able to say that since I was a child! Do not spoil it. If this be right, leave it so.’
‘Only one thing, Owen, are you sufficiently considering your son’s good in taking him there, out of the way of a good education.’
‘A working education is the good one for him,’ said Owen, ‘not the being sent at the cost of others—not even covertly at yours, Sweet Honey—to an expensive school. He is a working man’s son, and must so feel himself. I mean to face my own penalties in him, and if I see him in a grade inferior to what was mine by birth, I shall know that though I brought it on him, it is more for his real good and happiness to be a man of the people, than a poor half-acknowledged gentleman. So much for my Americanisms, Honor!’
‘But the dissent—the cant!’
‘Not so much cant as real piety obtrusively expressed. Poor old thing! I have no fear but that little Giblets will go my way! he worships me, and I shall not leave his h’s nor more important matters to her mercy. He is nearly big enough for the day school Mr. Parsons is setting on foot. It is a great consideration that the place is in the St. Matthew’s district!’
‘Well, Owen, I cannot but see that it may be your rightest course; I hope you may find yourself equal to it,’ said Honor, struggling with a fresh sense of desertion, though with admiration and esteem returning, such as were well worth the disappointment.