“Yes, you did. With your threats about Port Natal! What do you know about Port Natal? Why should you go to Port Natal? You will break my heart with grief, that’s what you will do.”
“I was not going to start this afternoon,” returned Roland. “But the fact is, mother, I shall have to go to Port Natal, or to some other port, unless I can get a little money to go on with here. A fellow can’t walk about with empty pockets.”
“You undutiful, extravagant boy!” exclaimed Lady Augusta. “I am worried out of my life for money, between you all. Gerald got two sovereigns from me yesterday. What money do you want?”
“As much as you can let me have,” replied Mr. Roland.
Lady Augusta threw a five-pound note by his side upon the desk. “When you boys have driven me into the workhouse, you’ll be satisfied, perhaps. And now hold your foolish tongue about Port Natal.”
Roland gathered it up with alacrity and a word of thanks. Lady Augusta had turned to Jenkins.
“You are the best off, Jenkins; you have no children to disturb your peace. You don’t look well, Jenkins.”
“Thank you kindly, my lady, I feel but poorly. My cough has become troublesome again.”
“He has just been saying that he thought the cough was going to take him off,” interposed Roland.
Lady Augusta laughed; she supposed it was spoken in jest; and desired her son to open the door for her. Her gloves were new and delicate.