"
"Why not?"
"Says I deserted his mother. So I did! Played the blackguard
altogether. Left 'em both to starve, or next door to it!"
Mr. Hennibul fetched out his handkerchief and dabbed his forehead.
"You are serious, Arranmore?"
"Rather! You wouldn't expect me to be frivolous on this hock."
"That young man must be talked to," Mr. Hennibul declared. "He ought
to be filling his proper place in the world. It's no use carrying on a
grudge against his own father. Let me have a try at him."
"No!" Lord Arranmore said, quietly. "I am obliged to you, Hennibul, but
the matter is one which does not admit of outside interference, however
kindly. Besides, the boy is right. I wilfully deserted both him and
his mother, and she died during my absence. My life, whilst away from
them, was the sort one forgets--or tries to--and he knows about it.
Further, when I returned to England I was two years before I took the
trouble to go and see him. I merely alluded to these domestic matters
that you might not wholly misjudge the situation."
Mr. Hennibul went on with his supper in silence.
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