“I have no objection to tell,” said Mrs. Carter. “It was my aunt, Nancy Carter, of Randolph, who so kindly remembered us.”
“I wish she'd kept back her letter a day or two,” thought the squire.
“Is she rich?” he asked, abruptly.
“No; she has a very modest income left by her brother; but her wants are few, and she thought we might need help. She has a good heart.”
“Well, ma'am, as my business is over, I will leave you,” said the squire, sulkily. “As for that boy of yours,” pointing his finger at Herbert, “I advise you to teach him better manners. He won't gain anything by his impertinence. If he had acted differently I would have given him employment, or got my superintendent to do so.”
“I should have been unable to accept it. Squire Leech,” said Herbert. “I have made an engagement already.”
The squire had forgotten this, and it was mortifying to expect that his patronage was of no importance to the boy whom he detested.
“Good morning!” he said abruptly and left the room
“I am afraid, Herbert, you treated the squire disrespectfully,” said Mrs. Carter.
“I don't think so, mother, unless to oppose his wishes is to be disrespectful.”