"Yes, it was quite like old times to me," answered Arthur; "and to have you nearly opposite me again seemed to bring the old days back."
"Yes, your father knew how to keep a good table," remarked Adrian. "I wish my mother did. She says it would be waste to have more than a plain joint and potatoes, with only two to eat it. I don't believe she'd have a joint if I wasn't there, and she knows I'd kick up a jolly row if there was only potatoes. Of course she thinks I could live in the same style if I went up to Oxford, and I don't mean to try. She's got plenty of money now, why shouldn't she spend it? She's got a little scheme in her head to make a good deal more of it by and by. But I tell her she has enough for her speculations. She can afford to carry out the plans she has set her heart upon, and send me to Oxford as well; but if I can't go as a gentleman should, I won't go at all!"
Arthur laughed. He was used to this kind of talk from his cousin, who was generally at war with his mother over something or other. Arthur, of course, thought Lady Mary unreasonable in her treatment of Adrian, and may have urged him into rebellion in the boyish days, when they used to get into scrapes together. But the experience of the past few months had sobered him a good deal, and now he thought that it was a pity the mother and son could not agree better, and he said so:
"You have no father, old fellow, and naturally your mother will look to you for comfort and—"
"Will she! Then she'll have to make me a bit comfortable first," fumed Adrian. "I tell you she keeps me so short of pocket-money that sometimes I haven't sixpence to call my own, and when I kick up a row, she tells me there will be plenty by and by, when she has been able to carry out her plans. 'Hang your plans!' I said to her. 'I want money now, and money I must have.' And after talking to her like this, how much do you think she gave me? Five shillings!"
For answer Arthur burst into a roar of laughter at Adrian's tragic manner, and his assumption of manly indignation.
"I don't see what there is to laugh at," he said in a half-offended tone. "I only wish you were tied to my mother's apron-string as I am, and then you'd know what it is to be short of money, and grudged every penny you spend."
"Well, I don't get much, I can tell you," said Arthur.
He was just about to tell his cousin what employment he had undertaken when they were interrupted by a voice calling, "Mr. Murray! Mr. Murray!" And the younger Miss Brading came towards them.
"It might be our Molly herself," said Arthur, speaking in an undertone as he turned to walk towards the speaker.