first you were prepared
to receive him as an enemy rather than as a friend. I heard a story some
weeks ago in the town, which emanated no doubt from the servants, that
you had actually struck him."

"He hit Charlie, sir," Ned exclaimed.

"That may be," Mr. Porson went on gravely; "and I have no doubt, Ned,
that you considered then, and that you consider now, that you were
acting rightly in interfering on behalf of your brother. But I should
question much whether in such a matter you are the best judge. You
unfortunately began with a very strong prejudice against this man; you
took up the strongest attitude of hostility to him; you were prepared
to find fault with everything he said and did; you put yourself in the
position of the champion of your mother, brother, and sister against
him. Under such circumstances it was hardly possible that things could
go on well. Now I suppose, Ned, that the idea which you have in your
mind in deciding to give up the profession you have chosen, is that you
may remain as their champion and protector here."

"Yes, sir," Ned said. "Father told me to be kind to mother, whatever
happened."

"Quite so, my boy; but the question is, Are you being kind?"

Ned looked surprised.

"That you intend to be so, Ned, I am sure. The question is, Are you
going the right way to work? Is this championship that you have taken
upon yourself increasing her happiness, or is it not?"

Ned was silent.

"I do not think that it is, Ned. Your mother must be really fond of this
man or she would not have married him. Do you think that it conduces to
the comfort of her home to see the constant antagonism which prevails
between you and him? Is it not the fact that this ill temper under
which she suffers is the result of the irritation caused to him by your
attitude? Do you not add to her burden rather than relieve it?"

Ned was still silent. He had so thoroughly persuaded himself that he was
protecting his mother, his brother, and sister from Mr. Mulready that he
had never considered the matter in this light.

"Does your mother take his part or yours in these quarrels, Ned?"

"She takes his part, sir," said Ned indignantly.

"Very well, Ned; that shows in itself that she does not wish for your
championship, that in her eyes the trouble in the house is in fact
caused by you. You must remember that when a woman loves a man she
makes excuses for his faults of temper; his irritable moods, sharp
expressions, a