But while Richard was disappointed he felt it unwise to press the mother for further information. He tried once to hint of the newer development of body cure via the release of mental suppression, but, interested as she was in mental phenomena, she would not connect anything of the sort with Walter. “He has had every freedom a boy could desire,” she had said firmly; “he has had too much. What he needs is a strong, resolute hand.”
Geraldine, however, was taken with Richard’s point of view and set herself to help.
“Let me ask you questions,” Richard said. They had gone off together to the mass of machinery at the stern of the boat. “Don’t mind how silly they may seem. Galloway told me you can’t ignore anything. He did a fine stroke once on a half-witted kid by noticing the way she pulled at one ear. It’s a good story, but I won’t tell you now. What I want from you is a list of the things that Walter has been forbidden to do. I know your mother well enough to see how she would take mighty good care of her son and heir; and her plan would be to make fast rules. Am I right?”
“On the contrary,” Geraldine replied thoughtfully, “she was most indulgent. Everyone says that she gave him too much leeway, and she feels very conscience-stricken over it now. That’s why she is trying to make up by extra vigilance. I’m the one she always held in check, but I never objected seriously; mother was usually very sensible in her exactions.”
“Is there any other member of the family who may have coerced him?”
“No; father died when we were very young. Mother has managed the household ever since I can remember. She was firm in small matters; but she was always kind and reasonable. That’s why,” she hesitated and then went on, “that’s why we always feel so dreadful when we deceive her.”
For a moment he gazed in his mild way far out to sea, at the great churned path made by the vessel.
“You begin to make me feel guilty, now; an experience I very seldom have,” he said finally.
“It wasn’t your fault.”
Without being specific each knew that the reference was to the day in Naples.