“You don’t stand upon ceremony, I think,” grumbled the boy, throwing his bread and butter about, in an ill-humour.
She made him no answer.
“I tell you what,” said the boy, then, bursting out into an angry whimpering, “you’re a selfish jade, and you think there’s not enough for three of us, and you want to get rid of me.”
“If you believe so, Charley—yes, then I believe too, that I am a selfish jade, and that I think there’s not enough for three of us, and that I want to get rid of you.”
It was only when the boy rushed at her, and threw his arms round her neck, that she lost her self-restraint. But she lost it then, and wept over him.
“Don’t cry, don’t cry! I am satisfied to go, Liz; I am satisfied to go. I know you send me away for my good.”
“O, Charley, Charley, Heaven above us knows I do!”
“Yes yes. Don’t mind what I said. Don’t remember it. Kiss me.”
After a silence, she loosed him, to dry her eyes and regain her strong quiet influence.
“Now listen, Charley dear. We both know it must be done, and I alone know there is good reason for its being done at once. Go straight to the school, and say that you and I agreed upon it—that we can’t overcome father’s opposition—that father will never trouble them, but will never take you back. You are a credit to the school, and you will be a greater credit to it yet, and they will help you to get a living. Show what clothes you have brought, and what money, and say that I will send some more money. If I can get some in no other way, I will ask a little help of those two gentlemen who came here that night.”