ion
concerning them. Sir William had declared that Mr. Scarborough's
constitution was the most wonderful thing that he had ever met in his
experience. In spite of the fact that Mr. Scarborough's body was one
mass of cuts and bruises and faulty places, and that nothing would keep
him going except the wearing of machinery which he was unwilling to
wear, yet the facilities for much personal enjoyment were left to him,
and Sir William declared that, if he would only do exactly as he were
told, he might live for the next five years. "But everybody knows that
he won't do anything that he is told," said Augustus, in a tone of voice
which by no means expressed extreme sorrow.

From his father he led the conversation to the partridges, and declared
his conviction that, with a little trouble and some expense, a very good
head of game might be got up at Tretton. "I suppose it wouldn't cost
much?" said Jones, who beyond ten shillings to a game-keeper never paid
sixpence for whatever shooting came in his way.

"I don't know what you call much," said Augustus, "but I think it may be
done for three or four hundred a year. I should like to calculate how
many thousand partridges at that rate Sir William has taken back in his
pocket."

"What does it matter?" asked Miss Scarborough.

"Only as a speculation. Of course my father, while he lives, is
justified in giving his whole income to doctors if he likes it; but one
gets into a manner of speaking about him as though he had done a good
deal with his money in which he was not justified."

"Don't talk in that way, Augustus."

"My dear aunt, I am not at all inclined to be more open-mouthed than he
is. Only reflect what it was that he was disposed to do with me, and
the good-humor with which I have borne it!"

"I think I should hold my tongue about it," said Harry Annesley.

"And I think that in my place you would do no such thing. To your nature
it would be almost impossible to hold your tongue. Your sense of justice
would be so affronted that you would feel yourself compelled to discuss
the injury done to you with all your intimate friends. But with your
father your quarrel would be eternal. I made nothing of it, and, indeed,
if he pertinaciously held his tongue on the subject, so should I."

"But because he talks," said Harry, "why should you?"

"Why should he not?" said Septimus Jones. "Upon my word I don't see the
justice of it."

"I am not speaking of justice, but of feelin