Part 2 (1/2)
said Philip.
”Yes, that was his motive, undoubtedly. He didn't offer to help you, I suppose?”
”No; I asked him to, and he wouldn't,” answered Philip, glad that he could blacken poor Harry's character.
”The unfeeling young villain!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Mrs. Ross. ”He ought to be put in the State's prison!”
”Do you think he can be?” asked Philip, eagerly.
”Of course he can, if your father exerts himself as he ought.”
”Nonsense, Lucinda!” said Colonel Ross, who was not a fool. ”It was a boyish misunderstanding.”
”You may call it that,” retorted Mrs. Ross, raising her voice. ”I call it a high-handed outrage. The boy ought to be arrested. Are you going to do anything about it, Philander Ross?”
Mrs. Ross generally addressed her husband by his Christian name when she was angry with him.
”I will tell you what I will do, Lucinda. I will see Mead, and tell him that a boy who acts in that way is not fit to drive for him.”
”That's right, father. Make him discharge Harry. Then he'll have to go to the poorhouse, or beg.”
”And a very suitable punishment for him,” said Mrs. Ross, approvingly.
”I don't quite like to take the boy's means of living away from him,”
said Colonel Ross, who was by no means as unfeeling as his wife and son.
”That would make his mother suffer, and she has been guilty of no crime.”
”She will uphold him in his iniquity, you may rest a.s.sured, Mr. Ross,”
said his wife, nodding emphatically. ”If she had brought up the boy to be respectful to his superiors this would not have happened.”
”He won't be able to pay damages if he loses his place,” said Colonel Ross.
”I don't care. I want him discharged from his situation.”
”Well, Lucinda,” said her husband, shrugging his shoulders, ”you had better undertake the management of the affair. I am very busy, and can't spare the necessary time.”
”I will!” said Mrs. Ross, with alacrity. ”I will call on the boy's mother, and also on Mr. Mead.”
”Don't be too extreme, Lucinda. Remember, it isn't a hanging matter.”
”I am not so sure but it ought to be. My poor child might have broken his neck. Oh, it makes my blood run cold when I think that he might be lying lifeless before me at this moment.”
”Don't say such things, mother,” said Philip, nervously, unpleasantly affected by the picture his mother had drawn.
”I can't help saying it, for it might have happened.”
”Where are you going to first, mother?” asked Philip.