"I have no doubt of that, father."
"And I think, Dick, she had better go to him now, whilst we are at liberty to do as we please at home."
"Now!" exclaimed Richard.
"Yes; now. That is before madam comes back again. Poor Edmund is only just put under the sod; but--considering the circumstances--I think the memory of the dead must give place to the welfare of the living."
"But how about ways and means, sir?"
"Ay: how about ways and means. Nothing can be spared from the works at present, I suppose, Dick."
"Nothing to speak of, sir."
Mr. North had felt ashamed even to ask the question. In fact, it was more a remark than a question, for he knew as well as Richard did that there was no superfluous money to draw upon.
"Of course not, Dick. Rane gets just enough to live upon now, and no more. Yesterday, after madam and Matilda had driven off, I was at the front-gates when Rane passed. So he and I got talking about Bessy. He said his income was small now, but that of course it would considerably augment as soon as Alexander had left. As he and Bessy are willing to try it, I don't see why they should not do so, Dick."
Richard gave no immediate reply. He had a rose in his hand and was looking at it absently, deep in thought. His father continued: