in it--not the best man in England!
Yet Harry would share it with the Naylors, a horse-racing, betting,
irreligious crowd, who have made their money in byways all their
generations. Power of God! Only to think of it! Only to think of it!
Harry ought to be ashamed of himself--he ought that."

"Now, John, my dear lad, I will not hear Harry blamed when he is not
here to speak for himself--no, I will not! Wait till he is, and it will
be fair enough then to say what you want to. I am Harry's mother, and I
will see he gets fair play. I will that. It is my bounden duty to do so,
and I'll do it."

"You are right, mother, we must all have fair judgment, and I will see
that the brother I love so dearly gets it."

"God love thee, John."

"And, mother, keep a brave and cheerful heart. I will do all that is
possible to satisfy Harry."

"I can leave him safely with God and his brother. And tomorrow I can now
look after the apricot-preserving. Barker told me the fruit was all
ready today, but I could not frame myself to see it properly done, but
tomorrow it will be different." Then because she wanted to reward John
for his patience, and knowing well what subject was close to his heart,
she remarked in a casual manner,

"Mrs. Harlow was here yesterday, and she said her apricots were safely
put away."

"Was Miss Harlow with her?"

"No. There was a tennis game at Lady Thirsk's. I suppose she was there."

"Have you seen her lately?"

"She took tea with me last Wednesday. What a beauty she is! Such color
in her cheeks! It was like the apricots when the sun was on them. Such
shining black hair so wonderfully braided and coiled! Such sparkling,
flashing black eyes! Such a tall, splendid figure! Such a rosy mouth! It
seemed as if it was made for smiles and kisses."

"And she walks like a queen, mother!"

"She does that."

"And she is so bright and independent!"

"Well, John, she is. There's no denying it."

"She is finely educated and also related to the best Yorkshire families.
Could I marry any better woman, mother?"

"Well, John, as a rule men don't approve of poor wives, but Miss Jane
Harlow is a fortune in herself."

"Two months ago I heard that Lord Thirsk was very much in love with her.
I saw him with her very often. I was very unhappy, but I could not
interfere, you know, could I?"

"So you went off to sea, and left mother and Harry and your business to
anybody's care. It wasn't like you, John."

"No, it was