“If I had known all this, mother, I might have helped him.”
“How?”
“I could have worried along on a less generous allowance. As it is——!” He broke off, with a gesture. She reassured him gently:
“Your father put you into a good regiment, and he has allowed you what he decided was necessary. If you asked him to give you less, he would refuse.”
Lionel exhibited a trace of his father’s obstinacy.
“We shall see about that,” he muttered. Then he kissed her tenderly, stroking her delicate hand.
“It has been beastly for both of you. And you two have always looked so comfy and prosperous.”
Lady Pomfret laughed.
“Call us mummers, Lionel. We have been forced to keep up appearances. Most of our friends are in the same boat. I see the comic side of it all and the tragic.”
Lionel smoked an after-breakfast pipe alone. Tobacco, however, failed to soothe him.