"I was not brought up there," he answered. "Rising is mine, however--at
least it will be when I come of age; it was left me some ten years ago by
a great-aunt My father's property will be mine too, of course. My
mother's is in Ireland. She ought to be there, not here; but she likes my
estates better than her own, and makes the most of being my guardian."
"You would not have her there if she is happier here?"
"All who have land, ought to live on it, or else give it to those who
will. What makes it theirs, if their only connection with it is the money
it brings them? If I let my horse run wild over the country, how could I
claim him, and refuse to pay his damages?"
"I don't quite understand you."
"I only mean there is no bond where both ends are not tied. My mother has
no sense of obligation, so far as ever I have been able to see. But do
not be afraid: I would as soon take a wife to the house she was in, as I
would ask her to creep with me into the den of a hyena."
It was too dreadful! I rose. He sprang to his feet.
"You must excuse me, sir!" I said. "With one who can speak so of his
mother, I am where I ought not to be."
"You have a right to know what my mother is," he answered--coldly, I
thought; "and I should not be a true man if I spoke of her otherwise than
truly."
He would pretend nothing to please me! I saw that I was again in the
wrong.
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