“Went away this morning by the day-coach, leaving the boy with the captain, who sent his coxswain for him.”
“There’s mystery about that,” rejoined the daughter, “and therefore I consider it another proof.”
“Yes,” said Mr Culpepper, “and a strong one too. Captain Delmar is so high and mighty, that he would not have it thought that he could ever condescend to have an intrigue with one beneath him in rank and station, and he has sent her away on that account, depend upon it.”
“Just so; and if that boy is not a son of Captain Delmar, I’m not a woman.”
“I am of that opinion,” replied the father, “and therefore I offered to take charge of him, as the captain did not know what to do with him till his uniform was ready.”
“Well,” replied Miss Culpepper, “I’ll soon find out more. I’ll pump everything that he knows out of him before he leaves us; I know how to put that and that together.”
“Yes,” croaked the fat mother; “Medea knows how to put that and that together, as well as any one.”
“You must be very civil and very kind to him,” said Mr Culpepper; “for depend upon it, the very circumstance of the captain’s being compelled to keep the boy at a distance will make him feel more fond of him.”
“I’ve no patience with the men in that respect,” observed the young lady: “how nobility can so demean themselves I can’t think; no wonder they are ashamed of what they have done, and will not acknowledge their own offspring.”
“No, indeed,” croaked the old lady.