The Prodigals and Their Inheritance

IS it to-night he is coming, Winnie?" "Yes, father. I have sent the dog-cart to the station." "It was unnecessary, quite unnecessary. What has he to do with dog-carts or any luxury? He should have been left to find his way as best he could. It is not many dog-carts he will find waiting at his beck and call. That sort of indulgence, it is only putting nonsense in his head, and making him think I don't mean what I say." "But, father"- "Don't father me. Why don't you speak like other girls in your position? You have always been brought up to be a lady; you ought to use the same words that ladies use. And mind you, Winifred, don't make any mistake, I mean what I say. Tom can talk, none better, but he will not get over me; I have washed my hands of him. So long as I thought these boys were going to do me credit I spared nothing on them; but now that I know better-Don't let him try to get over me, for it is no use." "Oh, papa, he is still so young; he has done nothing very bad, only foolishness, only what you used to say all young men did." "Things are come to a pretty pass," said the father, "when girls like you, who call themselves modest girls, take up the defence of a blackguard like Tom. "He is not a blackguard," cried the girl colouring to her hair. "You are an authority on the subject, I suppose? But perhaps I know a little better. He and his brother have taken me in-me, a man that never was taken in in my life before! but now I wash my hands of them both. There's the money for his journey and the letter to Stafford. No-on second thoughts I'll not give him the money for his journey; he'd stay in London and spend it, and then think there was more where that came from. Write down the office of the Cable Line in Liverpool-he'll get his ticket there." "But you'll see him, papa?" "Why should I see him? I know what would happen-you and he together would fling yourselves at my feet, or some of that nonsense. Yes, you're right-on the whole, I think I will see him, and then you'll know once for all how little is to be looked for from me." "Oh, papa! you do yourself injustice; your heart is kinder than you think," cried Winifred, with tears. Mr. Chester got up and walked from one end to the other of the long room. It was lighted up as if for a great entertainment, though the father and daughter were alone in it. He drew aside the curtains at the farther end and looked out into the night. "Raining," he said. "He would have liked a fly from the station much better than the dog-cart. These puppies with their spoiled constitutions, they can't support a shower. I am kinder than I think, am I? Don't let Tom presume on that. If I'm better than I think myself, I'm a deal worse than you think me. And he's cut me to the heart, he's cut me to the heart!" This was said with a little vehemence which looked like feeling. He resumed, a few minutes after: "What a fine thing it seemed for a man like me, that began in a small way, to have two sons to be educated with the best, just as good as dukes, that would know how to make a figure in the world and do me credit. Credit! two broken-down young profligates, two cads that have never held up their heads, never made friends, never done anything but spend money all their lives! What have I done that this should happen to me? Your mother was but a poor creature, and her family no great things; but that my boys, my sons, should take after the Robinsons and not after me! Hold your tongue and let me speak. It should be a warning to you whom you marry; for, mind you, it's not only your husband he'll be, but the father of your children, taking after him, perhaps, to wring your heart." He had been walking about the room all this time, growing more and more vehement. Now he flung himself heavily into his chair. "Yes," he said, "it will be better that I should see him. He'll know then, once for all, how much he has to expect from me."