."

"Very well. Then I suppose I may arrange to go. I did not think,
John, that I should be turned out of your father's house so soon
after your father's death. I did not indeed."

Thereupon Lady Ball got out her handkerchief, and her son perceived
that real tears were running down her face.

"Nobody has ever spoken of your going except yourself, mother."

"I won't live in the house with her."

"And what would you have me do? Would you wish me to let her go her
way and starve by herself?"

"No, John; certainly not. I think you should see that she wants for
nothing. She could live with her sister-in-law, and have the interest
of the money that the Rubbs took from her. It was your money."

"I have explained to you over and over again, mother, that that has
already been made over to Mrs Tom Mackenzie; and that would not have
been at all sufficient. Indeed, I have altogether made up my mind
upon that. When the lawyers and all the expenses are paid, there will
still be about eight hundred a year. I shall share it with her."

"John!"

"That is my intention; and therefore if I were to marry her I should
get an additional income of four hundred a year for myself and my
children."

"You don't mean it, John?"

"Indeed I do, mother. I'm sure the world would expect me to do as
much as that."

"The world expect you! And are you to rob your children, John,
because the world expects it? I never heard of such a thing. Give
away four hundred a year merely because you are afraid of those
wretched newspapers! I did expect you would have more courage."

"If I do not do one, mother, I shall do the other certainly."

"Then I must beg you to tell me which you mean to do. If you gave
her half of all that is coming to you, of course I must remain here
because you could not live here without me. Your income would be
quite insufficient. But you do owe it to me to tell me at once what I
am to do."

To this her son made no immediate answer, but sat with his elbow
on the table, and his head upon his hand looking moodily at the
fire-place. He did not wish to commit himself if he could possibly
avoid it.

"John, I must insist upon an answer," said his mother. "I have a
right to expect an answer."

"You must do what you like, mother, independently of me. If you think
you can live here on your income, I will go away, and you shall have
the place."

"That's nonsense, John. Of course you want a large house for the
children, and I