down, he built them up again, he asked advice, he did not wait to hear
it, but rambled on, excited, eager. Truth is, there had suddenly been
lifted from his mind the dread and shadow of four years. Wherever he had
gone, whatever he had been or done, that dread shadow had followed him,
and now to know that instead of having to endure a hell he had to win
a heaven, and to feel as if his brain had been opened and a mass of
vapours and naughty little mannikins of remorse had been let out, was
a trifle intoxicating even to a man of his usual vigour and early
acquaintance with exciting things.

"Dick, Dick!" he said enthusiastically, "you've been royal. You always
were better than any chap I ever knew. You're always doing for others.
Hang it, Dick, where does your fun come in? Nobody seems ever to do
anything for you."

Richard gave his arm a squeeze. "Never mind about me, boy. I've had all
the fun I want, and all I'm likely to get, and so long as you're all
willing to have me around, I'm satisfied. There's always a lot to do
among the people in the village, one way and another, and I've a heap of
reading on, and what more does a fellow want?"

"You didn't always feel that way, Dick?"

"No. You see, at different times in life you want different kinds of
pleasures. I've had a good many kinds, and the present kind is about as
satisfactory as any."

"But, Dick, you ought to get married. You've got coin, you've got sense,
you're a bit distinguished-looking, and I'll back your heart against
a thousand bishops. You've never been in danger of making a fool of
yourself as I have. Why didn't you--why don't you--get married?"

Richard patted his brother's shoulder.

"Married, boy? Married? I've got too much on my hands. I've got to bring
you up yet. And when that's done I shall have to write a book called
'How to bring up a Parent.' Then I've got to help bring your boy up, as
I've done these last three years and more. I've got to think of that
boy for a long while yet, for I know him better than you do, and I shall
need some of my coin to carry out my plans."

"God bless you, Dick! Bring me up as you will, only bring her along too;
and as for the boy, you're far more his father than I am. And mother
says that it's you that's given me the wife I've got now--so what can I
say?--what can I say?"

It was the middle of the Green Park, and Richard turned and clasped
Frank by both shoulders.

"Say? Say that you'll stand by the thi