"I don't know that I shall go to Oxford now. What's the good of it? I may go to London and live in chambers like any other fellow. But now about this money, of course it is yours, but where has it been that you have always been so short of ready cash?"
"Lent on mortgage. Lent on land that the new railway must buy, and buy at my price. I have been waiting for years for this to happen. My brother, Lismore, always said it would come, sooner or later, and his word has come true for once."
"But if lawyer Andrews says you can have your money when you like, they don't mean to let you have the land," said Adrian roughly.
"But I won't have it! They can't pay it! Who would trust a shop-boy with five pounds? I wouldn't, after what has happened, and I shall go and see Andrews this morning, and ask him what he means by sending me such a letter? Of course it was always understood that I should foreclose when it suited me, in spite of the terms of the mortgage."
"What were the terms?" asked Adrian, who could be sharp enough where money was concerned, however dull and indifferent he might be in other matters. "What were the terms upon which you lent this money, Mother?"
"Well, just for form's sake, it was set down that if the money could be repaid within fourteen days from the time that I gave notice, then of course I could not touch the land. But they cannot repay it! I tell you it amounts to some thousands of pounds now, and they haven't as many farthings! I may let a little stand over, if they will agree to leave the town and the neighbourhood, but it is not pleasant to have poor relations close under one's nose, and I shall be glad to get rid of them."
"So shall I! For that prig, Arthur, is always interfering with me and my concerns. I can't even walk about the town but he is dogging my steps and trying to get things out of me, asking me questions about my affairs in the most impudent fashion, considering that he has disgraced our family and name by going to serve in a shop."
"He always was a most impudent, mischievous boy, and he certainly must be got rid of somehow."
"Well, if you can do it, I shall be glad enough. Only do it quietly, Mother. I don't want our name dragged through the gutter, the police called in, and all that sort of thing."
"I certainly shall call in the police, if he will not leave Fairmead without!"