d, "how I like to see you walk in that
stately fashion, the whole of you--body, mind, and spirit, somehow
evident--gathered up within the delicious compass of yourself! As far
back as I can remember anything. I remember that. When I watched you it
always made me feel safe. It seemed more like music heard, somehow,
than something seen."

"Dickie, Dickie," she exclaimed, flushing a little, "don't make me vain
in my old age!"

"But it's true," he said. "And why shouldn't one tell the pretty truths
as well as the plain ones?--Isn't it a positively divine night? Look at
the moon just clearing the top of the firs there! It is good to be
alive. Mother--may I say it?--I am very grateful to you for having
brought me into the world."

"Ah! but, my poor darling----" Katherine cried.

"No, no," he said, "put that out of your dear head once and for all. I
am grateful, being as I am, grateful for everything, it being as it is.
I don't believe I would have anything--not anything save those four
years when I left you--altered, even if I could. I've found my work,
and it enlarges its borders in all manner of directions; and it
prospers. And I have money to put it through. And I have that boy. He's
a dear little chap, and it is wonderfully good of Uncle Roger and Mary
to give him to me. But he's getting a trifle too fond of horses. I
can't break poor, old Chifney's heart; but when his days are numbered,
those of the stables--as far as training racers goes--are numbered
likewise, I think. I'll keep on the stud farm. But I grow doubtful
about the rest. I wish it wasn't so, but so it is. Sport is changing
hands, passing from those of romance into those of commerce.--Well, the
stables served their turn. They helped to bring me through. But now
perhaps they're a little out of the picture."

Richard drew her hand nearer and kissed it, leaning back in his chair,
and looking up at her.

"And I have you--" he said, "you most perfect of mothers.--And--ah!
here comes Honoria!"

End of Project Gutenberg's The History of Sir Richard Calmady, by Lucas Malet

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