Part 11 (2/2)
”Oh, you think so, do you? Well, you shouldn't be obstinate then”
”I didn't mean to be, uncle”
”Then, why, in the name of all that's sensible, were you? Why didn't you tell ot in such a state?”
”I felt that I couldn't tell you, uncle”
”Why not, sir--why not?”
Aleck was silent once more
”There you are, you see As stubborn as a mule”
”No, I'o to bed without trying to make peace between us Don't contradict ive you one ht those lads?”
”Don't ask me, uncle, please I can't tell you”
”But I do ask you, and I will kno, sir, as it? For I'uardly reason Now, then, speak out, or--or--or--I vow I'll never be friends with you again”
”Don't ask me, uncle”
”Once an Aleck, and stopped
”Well, sir--because?” raged out the old man ”Speak, sir You are my sister's son I have behaved to you since she died like a father I am in the place of your father, and I command you to speak”
”Well, uncle, it was because they spoke about you,” said the lad, at last, desperately
”Eh? Ah! Hu clay-coloured ”They spoke ill of me, then?”
”Yes, uncle”
”About my past--past life, eh?”
”Yes, uncle”
”Humph! What did they say?”
”Uncle, pray don't ask raced and turned out of iment, eh? For cowardice?”
”Yes, uncle”
”And you said it wasn't true?”