So Percy in his capacity of ambassador delivered the ultimatum: Aunt Maria had borne with her husband's nephew for a great number of years, postponing vigorous action out of a mistaken kindness, but she was now firmly resolved upon the act of expulsion. "It's for your sake entirely," he continued. "Naturally Aunt wants to see you settled in some business, as she knows she can't leave you anything." "Except the furniture," remarked George indifferently. "That's not exactly a fortune," replied Percy, wondering how much his cousin knew about Chinese vases. "My uncle promised I should have the furniture," said the monotonous George. "Every man should work," observed Percy virtuously. "I could manage tomatoes," retorted George. "I shall be a rich man when the aunts die, while you will have nothing. I don't require to build up a business. Don't you want a home of your own, wife and children, and all that sort of thing?" "No," said George. "What do you want then?" "Board and lodging, and some one to look after me," replied the candid cousin. "Aunt Maria has said her last word. She won't keep you in idleness any longer. And I'm going to stay here until you leave the place." "They never brought me up to do anything," argued George for the defence. "They did their best, but you wouldn't work." "They ought to have made me. I was young then, and it was their duty to make me submit to discipline. Now I'm middle-aged." "Thirty-eight is still young." "With some men; not with me. My habits are formed." "When you find something to do--" "That's just what Aunt Maria says," George interrupted bitterly. "She never suggested anything but once, and then she said I might have gone abroad as a missionary if I hadn't been unfit for the job. It's all very well to talk about doing something in this beastly overcrowded world, but what can a middle-aged bachelor do except put his trust in Providence? My uncle was at least practical: he did suggest I should turn pilot or harbour-master, although he knew the very sight of the sea puts my liver out of order." "You might open a shop to sell fruit and flowers; and I'll supply you." "I don't understand buying and selling, and I can't do accounts. You would take the profit, and I should have the losses." "You must make up your mind. Aunt is perfectly serious," declared Percy. "I don't want to offend her, and of course I couldn't abuse her kindness," said George slowly; "but just suppose I did refuse to leave home--suppose I insisted upon staying here and leading the sort of life that suits my health--what could she do?" "If you were rotten enough for that, I suppose she could appeal to the magistrates for an ejectment order," replied Percy hazily. "She is much too kind for that. Besides, I am her nephew." "Only by marriage. You are not a blood relation; you can't claim to be dependent on her."