Again the sudden impulse to take the girl to his heart had to be suppressed. The impulse this time was so strong that Philip wondered afterwards that he had been able to resist it, even though others were by.
CHAPTER XL
MOTHER AND SON
Philip stayed for a whole week at Hawk’s Nest. Davis had brought Soda over, and Philip had ridden over once or twice to look at the bungalow.
It had been an ideal week to Mrs. Barrimore, for Philip had shown her so much affection. Philip had always had a deep love for his mother, even when he had wounded her, but in this week he had not hurt her once, nor had he hurt Uncle Robert. Regarding this latter he had “influenced” a review of “Wings and Winds,” which had given the author the greatest pleasure. Philip had something to bear on this count, for Uncle Robert flaunted the review in his face, declaring that here was a reviewer—on a good paper, too!—who did not take Philip’s view of the verses.
But Philip took all this well. He must behave so as to gain Miss Le Breton’s good opinion. She would know nothing of all this, yet he felt that she would read him when next they met, with those searching eyes of hers. She would know he was trying to improve himself.
Dan had called in to see them, full of high spirits, when he was on his way to the White House, and Philip had felt a great dejection come over him. Dan must be pretty sure of his ground, or he would not be in such high spirits.
Another thing had happened during this week. Colonel Henderson had passed away.
Uncle Robert, who was as full of impulse as his nephew, in his own way, had insisted on Mrs. Henderson and the two boys, Will and Eric, coming to Hawk’s Nest.
“The boys shall go to Brighton College,” he said. “and then to Sandhurst. There is no one to interfere, for I got Lane to see that Henderson made a will leaving me guardian—that is, joint-guardian with him—which means that I shall have a free hand.”
Philip at this time had ample opportunity of studying his uncle’s character afresh, and he decided that the old fellow on whom he had often looked with something very nearly approaching contempt was one of the noblest men he had ever known. The joy, which brimmed over, in finding an outlet for his unselfish kindliness was a thing to remember.