‘I am dealing with it from a selfish point of view—considering only how you can obtain most pleasure, comfort, happiness—call it what you may—for yourself out of your fortune. I should never have entered on such a scheme. You tell me that it was optional on your part to go into business or to live on the interest of the money?’
‘Quite optional; but of course I could not accept the trust and do nothing.’
‘Ah, I think my advice would have been that you should have accepted the trust, as you call it, invested it in safe securities, married, and basked in the sunshine of life—an easy mind, and a substantial balance at your banker’s.’
‘But my mind would not have been easy if I had done that.’
‘Then you were right not to do it. Every man has his own way of seeking happiness. You have yours; and I shall watch the progress of your work with attentive interest.—But we have other matters to speak about. I have done something of which I hope you will approve.’
Philip could not help smiling at this intimation. Mr Hadleigh had never before suggested that he desired or required the approval of any one in whatever he chose to do.
‘You can be sure of what my opinion will be of anything you do, sir.’
‘Perhaps.’
They walked on in silence, and passed Culver’s cottage. They met Pansy coming from the well with a pail of water. She put down the pail, and courtesied to the master and his son. She was on Philip’s side of the path, and he whispered in passing:
‘There is good news for you by-and-by, Pansy.’