Mr. Rivenhall have a short laugh.
“But — Charles, you did not pay all that!’
“Hardly. I settled some part, but the estate is still grossly encumbered. I need not take you into all that. Now that my father has given the management into my hands I have a reasonable hope of being able to tow the family out of the river Tick. But compounding with creditors, spending my life contriving ways and means with our man of business is the very devil!”
“Good God, I should rather think it would be! Listen, Charles, I’m damned sorry I should have added to it all!”
Mr. Rivenhall came back to the desk. “Yes, I know. Your debt is no great matter, but if gaming is in your blood as well — ”
“Well, it ain’t! You needn’t fear for that, for I don’t care for cards above half, and I can assure you I had no pleasure in going to those damned hells!” He took a turn about the room, a frown slowly gathering on his brow. He stopped suddenly, and exclaimed, “Why didn’t you tell me? Dash it, I’m not a child! You should have told me!”
Mr. Rivenhall looked at him, half smiling. “Yes, perhaps I should,” he said mildly. “But the fewer people to know the better. Even my mother does not know the whole.”
“Mama! No, indeed! I should think not! But I had a right to be told, instead of being allowed to go on as though — It is just like you, Charles, to shoulder everything, and to suppose no one can do the least thing but yourself! I daresay there might be a dozen ways in which I could help you! It seems to me that I ought to come down from Oxford at once, and find an eligible post somewhere, or join the army — no, that won’t do, because you would have to buy me a commission, and even if I didn’t join a cavalry regiment, or the Guards — ”
“It certainly will not do!” interrupted his brother, amused, and rather touched. “You’ll oblige me by staying where you are! We are not on our last legs yet. Why, you bacon-brained young idiot, what do you suppose my object is but to see that you and Theodore and the girls don’t suffer through my father’s curst folly? If you choose to help me to run the estate, you may do so, and I shall be grateful, for Eckington is growing past it. I can’t be rid of him, for he has been with us so long that I daresay it would break his heart, but he is of very little use, and I’ve no great degree of confidence in young Badsey yet. Have you a head for business?”
“I don’t know, but I’ll precious soon learn!” replied Hubert with determination. “When I come down for the long vacation, you may teach me. And, mind, Charles! No keeping me in the dark!”