“Once for all, I beg you to tell me what is all this mystery? Do you think I am a child”?
“Fill your pipe again, while I light a cigar”.
Cradock did as he was told, although with trembling hands. Rufus Hutton went for a wine–glass, filled it with brandy, and pushed it across, then gulped down half a tumblerful; but Cradock did not taste his.
“Now, my boy, can you bear some very bad news indeed”?
“Anything better than this suspense. I have heard some bad news lately, which has seasoned me for anything”.
He referred to Amy Rosedew.
“It is this. You are not your fatherʼs heir; you are only the younger son”.
“Is that all”?
“All! Isnʼt that enough? Good God! What more would you have?—you donʼt deserve brandy”.
“My father will be glad, and so will Clayton, and—perhaps one other. But I donʼt mean to say that I am”.