"I suppose, father," continued Fox, "that you will hardly let me go penniless out of the house? That would be a pretty comment on your professions. You must have saved something, and there is that little scrap of land still ours in Buckland——"
Mr. Crymes again wiped his face. He did not know what answer to make.
"Or, is the fashion set by Squire Cleverdon of cutting his son off without a shilling infectious, that my father has taken it, and will follow suit, and sicken into the same green infirmity?"
"No," said Mr. Crymes, "I will do what is right; but you spring this on me, I am taken aback——"
"I did not spring it on you. That is one of the many kindnesses I have received from Jule."
"I do not know what to say. You must give me time to consider. This journey to London has cost me a considerable sum of money."
"There comes the usual excuse for shirking out of a money obligation which cannot be enforced by law. Say on, father—the times have been bad, the hay was black with rain, the corn did not kern well, the mottled cow dropped her calf, the tenants have not paid, and so my poor boy gets nothing but advice in bushels and exhortations in yards."
"Having insulted your sister, now you throw your jibes at me. That is not encouraging to me to deal handsomely towards you."
"I did not think, father, that you needed to be coaxed and caressed to do an act of justice."
"I do not ask that of thee, but I must consider. It ill pleases me that you should have thought of Bessie Cleverdon."