"But honour would forbid that, if he pledged himself to certain conditions. Besides, Ralph would be cared for."
"Better than he deserves, for he has behaved ill to Kitty. He is safe, in any case."
"Therein lies the injustice. Without a will, you being now absolute owner of the estate, Ralph would take all but part of the personalty and that which the law would give to Kathleen," replied Aylmer, with some warmth.
"I must think the matter over. No need to hurry. The personalty is not what it was. Naturally, after being kept down so long, I wanted a little fling after I was married. I was rather extravagant."
"You are a few thousands poorer than—well—than you ought to be, I suppose," said Aylmer.
Mr. Torrance nodded. "Besides," he added, "I have been unlucky in some ventures lately."
Aylmer judged that the ventures were of the kind by which, says a wise writer, "men try to make money without effort, at the cost of other men." Only in such would John Torrance engage.
A promise "to think about it" was all Aylmer could obtain, and he returned home feeling far from happy.
Mr. Torrance thought, and became very angry. He was vexed at his "ill luck," that is, at the loss of what ought not to have been risked—not at himself for risking it. Then he grew angry at Kathleen, on account of Aylmer's intervention. He entered the room where she was sitting, and she instantly rose, holding up her boy to be kissed.
"See, John. I am sure he knows you. He is holding out his arms," she said.