“Oh yes,” she said, briskly; “Ursula always notices the weather. Some people do, and never talk of anything else. I wish you would tell me, Mynheer van Helmont—we were discussing the subject the other day—would you rather do wrong that right may ensue, or right for the sake of wrong?” The Freule was very fond of propounding these problems of the “Does-your-mother-like-cheese?” order. Some spinster ladies “affection” them just as their spinster aunts used to propose Bouts Rimés.
“You must leave me a few moments to consider my answer,” replied Theodore, gravely.
This was quite a new experience for the Freule, and hugely delighted her.
“A very sensible young man,” she thought. “And you, Gerard?” she asked, turning to her nephew meanwhile.
Gerard had arrived at the Manor-house the day before; it was just about a year since he had last slept in the house, and his mother’s heart yearned over him.
“I should do what I liked best,” said Gerard, promptly, always pleased to exasperate his aunt.
“Gerard, you have no principle. What does your cousin conclude?”
“Right and wrong, as we refer to them, are such very vague terms, Freule,” responded the young clerk, thoughtfully. “But, supposing the words to be used in their absolute sense”—the Freule nodded—“I should do the immediate right.”
“Bravo,” said Otto’s deep voice from a distant sofa. “And now, Ursula, will you give us some music?”
“Oh yes, music,” assented Theodore’s mother. “I love music. The loveliest organ comes past our house on Fridays. I quite long for Fridays to come round.”