He still went on trying the boy's temper.
"You know there would be nobody ready for you at Raynham. It is unfair to disturb the maids."
Richard overrode every objection.
"Well, then, my son," said the baronet, preserving his half-jocular air, "I must tell you that it is my wish to have you in town."
"Then you have not been ill at all, sir!" cried Richard, as in his despair he seized the whole plot.
"I have been as well as you could have desired me to be," said his father.
"Why did they lie to me?" the young man wrathfully exclaimed.
"I think, Richard, you can best answer that," rejoined Sir Austin, kindly severe.
Dread of being signalized as the Foolish Young Fellow prevented Richard from expostulating further. Sir Austin saw him grinding his passion into powder for future explosion, and thought it best to leave him for awhile.