lfishly would rather
You should starve and save than me.

Must I--must I, still dependent,
On another's bounty live--"

"What do you mean by that, sir?" cried Algernon in sudden anger,
although hitherto much amused by his son's rattling nonsense. He saw the
blush of shame burn on the cheeks of Anthony, and the tears of wounded
pride fill his eyes.

"I meant no offence," said Godfrey, abashed by the unusual severity of
the Colonel's look and tone. "What I said was only intended to make you
both laugh."

"I forgive him," murmured the indignant heart-humbled lad. "He has given
me another motive to write to my father."

"My dear Tony, never mind his folly." But Anthony was already in the
solitude of his own chamber.

How often had he borne that taunt from Godfrey! How often had he been
told before boys whom he esteemed and loved at school, and whose good
opinion he was desirous to retain, that he was dependent upon the bounty
of Colonel Hurdlestone, though the only son and heir of the rich miser;
and that he was as selfish and mean-spirited as his father to submit to
such degradation! And he had marked the sarcastic smile, the lifted
shoulder, and the meaning glance that passed from boy to boy, and the
galling chain of dependence had entered into his soul.

He became thoughtful and reserved, and applied more intensely to his
studies, to shut out what he considered the ungracious, ungrateful
conviction that he was a beggar in the house of his good uncle. Godfrey
had already calculated the expense of his board and education, for he
had more than once hinted to him, that when he came in for his miserly
father's wealth, in common justice he ought to repay to him what his
romantically generous uncle had expended upon him. Anthony had solemnly
averred that such should indeed be the case, and again had been
tauntingly answered--"Wait until it is yours; you will then tell a
different tale." But now he had dared to reproach him in his uncle's
presence; and it was more than the high-spirited youth could bear.

"Father, cruel, unnatural father!" he exclaimed, as he raised his head
from between his hands; "why have you subjected your unfortunate son to
insults like these?"

"Who insults you, my dear Anthony?" said the Colonel, who had followed
him unobserved, and who now stood beside him. "A rash, impetuous,
thoughtless boy, who never reflects upon what he says; and who, in spite
of all his faults, loves you."