“I know. Where did I get my temper from, mother? Not from you, or my father from all I have heard and remember of him.”
“Your grandfather would say it was from the devil, Anthony.”
“Yes, and perhaps he is right; only then it is rather hard luck on me, isn’t it? I can’t help it—it comes.”
“Then make it go, Anthony. You are to be confirmed soon. Change your heart.”
“I’ll try. But, mother dear, though I am so bad to you, you are the only one who will ever change me. When that wild-cat of a girl got the better of me just now, it was you I thought of, not her. If I lost you I don’t know what would become of me.”
“We have to stand or fall alone, Anthony.”
“Perhaps, mother. I don’t know; I am not old enough. Still, don’t leave me alone, for if you do, then I am sure which I shall do,” and bending down he kissed her and left the room.
After this scene Anthony’s behaviour improved very much; his reports from school were good, for he was quick and clever, and his great skill in athletics made him a favourite. Also his grandfather, who prepared him for confirmation, announced that the lad’s nature seemed to have softened.
So things remained for some time, to be accurate, for just so long as the girl Bess was a servant at the Hall.
Anthony might talk about his mother’s influence over him, and without doubt when he was in his normal state this was considerable. Also it served to prevent him from breaking out. But when he did break out, Bess Catton alone could deal with him. Naturally it would be thought that there was some mutual attraction between these young people. Yet this was not so, at any rate on the part of the girl, who had been overheard to tell Anthony to his face that she hated the sight of him and “would cut him to ribbons” if she were his mother.