Part 58 (1/2)

”Why, Aunt Christie?”

Miss Christie Grant paused. Confidence had not been reposed in her; to have surprised Emily into it would have given her no pleasure; it would have left her always suspicious that her niece would have withheld it if she could; besides, this rumour might after all be untrue. She answered, ”Because, for one thing, he has had great, at least considerable, losses.”

”Yes, I know,” said Emily.

”But he aye reposed great confidence in me, as a friend should.”

”Yes.”

”And so I would have asked him several questions if I had known how to express myself; but bonds and debentures, and, above all, preference stock, were aye great stumbling-blocks to my understanding. Men have a way of despising a woman's notions of business matters; so I contented myself with asking if it was true that he was arranging to take a partner, and whether he would have to make any pecuniary sacrifice in order to effect this? He said 'Yes;' but I've been just thinking he meant that in confidence.”

”You shouldn't tell it to me then.”

”And then he told me (I don't know whether that was in confidence or not), but----”

”But what?”

”But I don't want to have any reservations with my own niece's child, that was always my favourite, any more than I suppose ye would have any with me.”

Miss Christie here seemed to expect an answer, and waited long enough for Emily to make one, if she was so minded; but as Emily remained silent, she presently went on.

”I made the observation that I had heard he meant to sell his late father's house; but lest he should think I attached too much importance to his losses, I just added that I knew his children were very well provided for under the will. He said 'Yes.'”

”And that was all?” asked Emily, amused at the amount of John's confidence, and pleased to find that nothing but business had been talked or.

”Yes, that was all--so far as I know there was nothing more to tell; so I just said before I came away that I was well aware my knowledge of banking was but slender, which was reason enough for my not offering any advice. Well, if anybody had told me ye could laugh because John Mortimer was less prosperous than formerly, I would not have believed it!”

Emily made haste to look grave again. It was no secret at all that John Mortimer meant to take a partner; and as to his losses, she did not suppose they would affect his comfort much.

Johnnie Mortimer, however, on hearing of them was roused to a sense of responsibility toward his father, and as a practical proof that he and his sisters were willing to do what they could, proposed to them that they should give up half their weekly allowance of pocket-money. The twins a.s.sented with filial fervour, and Johnnie explained their views to his father, proposing that his own pony should be sold, and the money flung into the gap.

John was smoking a cigar in an arbour near the house when his heir unfolded to him these plans for retrenchment. He was surprised. The boy was so big, so clever with his lessons, and possessed so keen a sense of humour that sometimes the father forgot his actual age, and forgot that he was still simple in many respects, and more childlike than some other youths.

He did not instantly answer nor laugh (for Johnnie was exceedingly sensitive to ridicule from him); but after a pause, as if for thought, he a.s.sured his son that he was not in any want of money, and that therefore these plans, he was happy to say, were not necessary. ”As you are old enough now,” he added, ”to take an intelligent interest in my affairs, I shall occasionally talk to you about them.”

Johnnie, shoving his head hard against his father's shoulder, gave him an awkward hug. ”You might depend on my never telling anybody,” he said.

”I am sure of that, my boy. Your dear grandfather, a few months before his death, gave his name to an enterprise which, in my opinion, did not promise well. A good deal of money has been lost by it.”

”Oh,” said Johnnie, and again he reflected that, though not necessary, it would be only right and n.o.ble in him to give up his pony.

”But I dare say you think that I and mine have always lived in the enjoyment of every comfort, and of some luxuries.”

”Oh, yes, father.”

”Then if I tell you that I intend to continue living exactly in my present style, and that I expect to be always ent.i.tled to do so, you need perhaps hardly concern yourself to inquire how much I may hitherto have lived within my income.”

Johnnie, who, quite unknown to himself, had just sustained the loss of many thousands. .h.i.therto placed to his name, replied with supreme indifference that he hoped he was not such a m.u.f.f as to care about money that his father did not care about himself, and did not want. Whereupon John proceeded,--

”It is my wish, and in the course of a few years I hope that I shall be able, to retire.”