out of his own ground for six, I certainly shan't chuck cricket.
We must meet again next season, if we're both alive. Everybody can see
that."

CHAPTER VI

THE GATHERING PROBLEM

Sabina Dinnett found that her mind was not so indifferent to her
fortunes as she supposed. Upon examining it, with respect to the problem
of leaving Bridetown for Abel's sake, which Ernest had now raised, she
discovered a very keen disinclination to depart. Here was the only home
that she, or her child, had ever known, and though that mattered
nothing, she shrank from beginning a new life away from 'The Magnolias'
under the increased responsibility of sole control where Abel was
concerned. Moreover, Mr. Churchouse had more power with Abel than
anybody. The boy liked him and must surely win sense and knowledge from
him, as Sabina herself had won them in the past. She knew that these
considerations were superficial and the vital point in reason was to
separate the son from the father; so that Abel's existing animus might
perish. Both Estelle and Ernest Churchouse had impressed the view upon
her; but here crept in the personal factor, and Sabina found that she
had no real desire to mend the relationship. Considerations of her
child's future pointed to more self-denial, but only that Abel might in
time come to be reconciled to Raymond and accept good at his hands. And
when Sabina thought upon this, she soon saw that her own indifference,
where Ironsyde was concerned, did not extend to the future of the boy.
She could still feel, and still suffer, and still resent certain
possibilities. She trusted that in time to come, when Mr. Churchouse and
Miss Ironsyde were gone, the measure of her son's welfare would be hers.
She was content to see herself depending upon him; but not if his own
prosperity came from his father. She preferred to picture Abel as
making his way without obligations to that source. She might have
married and made her own home, but that alternative never tempted her,
since it would have thrust her off the pedestal which she occupied, as
one faithful to the faithless, one bitterly wronged, a reproach to the
good name--perhaps, even a threat to the sustained prosperity of Raymond
Ironsyde. She could feel all this at some moments.

She determined now to let the matter rest, and when Ernest Churchouse
ventured to remind her of the subject and to repeat the opinion that it
might be wise for Sabina to take the boy away from Bri