“One, Sir, under your good pleasure,” replied Jack suavely.
“Two,” gravely repeated Sir Thomas. “I will set no difference betwixt Blanche and Clare. And they be to portion, lad; and we have all to live. I cannot pay thy debts of honour and see to these likewise. And, Jack, the trade-debts, as thou callest them, must come first.”
“Sir!” exclaimed Jack aghast.
“I say, the trade-debts must stand first,” repeated his father firmly.
“A gentleman never puts his trade-debts before his debts of honour, Sir!” cried Jack in a tone of intense disgust mixed with amazement.
“I know not what you gentlemen of the Court may account honour nor honesty, Sir,” replied Sir Thomas, now sternly; “but I am a plain honest man, that knows nought of Court fashions, for the which His good providence I thank God. And if it be honest to heap up debt that thou hast no means of paying to thy certain knowledge, then I know not the signification of honesty.”
“But I must play, Sir!” replied Jack—in the tone with which he might have said, “I must breathe.”
“Then thou must pay,” said Sir Thomas shortly.
“Must play, quotha!” interjected Rachel. “Thou must be a decent lad,—that is all the must I see.”
“Come, be not too hard on the lad!” pleaded Lady Enville, fanning herself elegantly. “Of course he must live as other young men.”