spirits."

"I beg your pardon."

"Your grandson," Amberson explained. "He was inclined to melancholy this
morning, but seemed jolly enough just now when they passed us."

"What was he melancholy about? Not getting remorseful about all the
money he's spent at college, was he?" The Major chuckled feebly, but
with sufficient grimness. "I wonder what he thinks I'm made of," he
concluded querulously.

"Gold," his son suggested, adding gently, "And he's right about part of
you, father."

"What part?"

"Your heart."

The Major laughed ruefully. "I suppose that may account for how heavy
it feels, sometimes, nowadays. This town seems to be rolling right over
that old heart you mentioned, George--rolling over it and burying
it under! When I think of those devilish workmen digging up my lawn,
yelling around my house--"

"Never mind, father. Don't think of it. When things are a nuisance it's
a good idea not to keep remembering 'em."

"I try not to," the old gentleman murmured. "I try to keep remembering
that I won't be remembering anything very long." And, somehow convinced
that this thought was a mirthful one, he laughed loudly, and slapped his
knee. "Not so very long now, my boy!" he chuckled, continuing to echo
his own amusement. "Not so very long. Not so very long!"

Chapter XVII

Young George paid his respects to his grandfather the following morning,
having been occupied with various affairs and engagements on Sunday
until after the Major's bedtime; and topics concerned with building
or excavations were not introduced into the conversation, which was a
cheerful one until George lightly mentioned some new plans of his. He
was a skillful driver, as the Major knew, and he spoke of his desire to
extend his proficiency in this art: in fact, be entertained the ambition
to drive a four-in-hand. However, as the Major said nothing, and merely
sat still, looking surprised, George went on to say that he did not
propose to "go in for coaching just at the start"; he thought it would
be better to begin with a tandem. He was sure Pendennis could be trained
to work as a leader; and all that one needed to buy at present, he said,
would be "comparatively inexpensive--a new trap, and the harness,
of course, and a good bay to match Pendennis." He did not care for a
special groom; one of the stablemen would do.

At this point the Major decided to speak. "You say one of the stablemen
would do?" he inquired, his widened ey