Part 40 (2/2)
Mrs Halliday looked sympathetic and felt curious She had wondered when Bernard would give her his confidence ”Well,” she said, ”I suppose this is one's duty, although I hope you have no particular grounds for i it needful just now”
”One cannot tell,” Bernard remarked ”Anyhow, I have responsibilities that et a share of my property; in fact, I have enerous,” said Mrs Halliday, ondered how far she durst go ”But what about Jiht For thatIndependence like his is not coed”
Mrs Halliday was disturbed, but Bernard did not sees and resu about the new Brunstock hospital and a to see the coht the plans” He unrolled the elevation and gave it her ”This is not the kind of building ant and I mean to propose some alterations”
He indicated the alterations, and Mrs Halliday said: ”But it will cost a very large sum”
”I expect so My money came from the iron mines; the Brunstock pitet hurt and it is just that I should give the back Then if we called it the Dearha would keep h to prefer a handsoood ah she was puzzled, for she thought Bernard had an object he had not stated He certainly was not vain
”Of course,” he went on, ”one must be just to one's relations, and it would be harsh to leave out Jiether Still, you see, he's rash; we have an exa plan, and I would not like my money squandered I expect you know he has lost much of his in a Canadian speculation?”
Mrs Halliday did not know and got soave Bernard a quick and rather anxious glance
”But if he has lost his, your gift would be reeht use it as rashly as he has used the rest”
”They sometimes waste money at hospitals”
”That is so, but if I carry out my plans, there will not besoive them a proper endowment, the trustees must consent”
”Do you mean to endow the neards? We understood you would be satisfied with giving part of what they needed for the original building”
”Of course,” said Bernard ”Since I'e the extension, Ia hobby of er than Idrive and I must not keep the committee”
He went off and Mrs Halliday tried to brace herself She had grounds for disturbance, but she must think If Bernard carried out his plans, it was obvious that she e hers
CHAPTER XI
EVELYN'S ADVENTURE
After Bernard had gone, Mrs Halliday talked to Evelyn At first she was cautious and rather irees she threw off her reserve Although Evelyn and her onistic, and this disturbed her Evelyn was not roan to look as if she were strongly attracted by Jim Dearhao to Langrigg to-morrow,” Mrs Halliday concluded ”You can ed me not to disappoint Jio Now he has had bad luck, it would look significant if you suddenly withdrew your approval He kneas his not long since”
”In a way, I am forced to withdraw it I like Jim----”
”But you do not like him to be poor,” Evelyn interrupted with a smile
”Well, it seems to me a proper and tactful line for his friends to rally round him when he is in trouble”