In vain did Meg plead, almost with tears, that he would do nothing of the kind. He was roused and firm.
He did "speak to Amelia." He astonished that good lady as much as he annoyed her. Nevertheless Mrs. Ross-Morton used the penny post for her invitations as long as Meg remained at Ribston Hall.
At the end of two years Major Morton, who had removed from Bedford to Cheltenham, wrote a long, querulous letter to his sister-in-law to the effect that if—like the majority of girls nowadays—his daughter chose to spend her life far from his sheltering care, it was time she earned something.
Mrs. Ross-Morton replied that only now was Meg beginning to repay all the expense incurred
on her behalf in the way of board, clothing and tuition; and it was most unreasonable to expect any salary for quite another year.
Major Morton decided to remove Meg from Ribston Hall.
Many acrimonious letters passed between her aunt and her father before this was finally accomplished, and Meg left "under a cloud."
To her great astonishment, her meek little uncle appeared at Paddington to see her off. Just as the train was starting he thrust an envelope into her hand.
"It hasn't been fair," he almost shouted—for the train was already beginning to move. "You worked hard, you deserved some pay ... a little present ... but please don't mention it to your aunt ... She is so decided in her views...."
When Meg opened the envelope she found three ten-pound notes. She had never seen so much money before, and burst into tears; but it was not because of the magnitude of the gift. She felt she had never properly appreciated her poor little uncle, and her conscience smote her.