“I never thought him an agreeable boy.”
“Nor anyone else, I expect. He appears to think he can put on airs, and expects everybody to bow down to him because his father is a rich man.”
“I hope you didn't quarrel with him,” said Mrs. Carter, apprehensively.
“Oh, no, he sneered at me, as usual, and drew a ridiculous picture of my appearance with my uncle's clothes on.”
“Do you mind what he says?” asked his mother, anxiously.
“A little,” said Herbert, “but I can stand it if he doesn't go too far.”
“He has an unhappy nature. I think his father must have been somewhat like him when he was young.”
“So do I. He feels just as important as James. I like to see him strut round, as if he owned the whole village.”
“He does own more of it than anyone else. Among the rest, he owns our house, in part.”
“You mean he has a mortgage on it, mother?”