When Frank made his appearance, the old gentleman was very angry, supposing that he had returned to be a burden and a bore to him, but, on learning the true state of the case, his feelings towards his successful nephew were wonderfully modified and mollified!
It was very difficult at first to convince him of the truth of Frank’s good fortune, and he required the most incontestable proofs thereof before he would believe. At length, however, he was convinced, and condescended to offer his nephew his hearty congratulations.
“Now, uncle,” said Frank, “I shall build a house somewhere hereabouts, and live beside you.”
“You could not do better,” said the old gentleman, who became suddenly and wonderfully amiable!
“And I don’t intend to bother myself with business, uncle.”
“Quite right, my boy; you have no occasion to do so.”
“But I intend to devote much of my time to painting.”
“A most interesting occupation,” said the tractable old gentleman.
“And a good deal of it, also,” continued Frank, “to the consideration of the cases of persons in sickness and poverty.”
“H’m! a most laudable purpose, though it has always appeared to me that this is a duty which devolves upon the guardians of the poor. Nevertheless the intention is creditable to you; but I am surprised to hear you, who are so young, and can have seen so little of poverty or sickness, talk of giving much of your time to such work.”