“A pretty future for _you_, Owen!” “He swears I must work for my living and earn my daily bread; and that, if, for two years from now, I can maintain myself honourably in this country or the Continent--Asia, Africa, and America are barred--and neither get into debt, prison, or any matrimonial entanglement----” he paused for a moment to laugh. “Yes, yes,” said his sister impatiently; “and if you comply with all these conditions?” “He will reinstate me, put me into Wynyard to take the place of his agent, and give me a handsome screw. But if I play the fool, he takes his solemn oath he will leave everything he possesses to a hospital, and all I shall come in for will be the bare estate, an empty house, and an empty title--and _that_ he hopes to keep me out of for the next thirty years!” “No doubt he will,” agreed his sister; “we are--bar accidents--a long-lived stock.” “He also said that he was only fifty-six; he might marry; a Lady Wynyard----” “No fear of that,” she interposed; “the old servants will never permit it, and never receive her. But how are you to earn your living and your daily bread?” “That, he declares, is entirely _my_ affair. Of course he doesn’t expect much from a wooden-headed duffer like me; he knows I’ve no brains, and no, what he calls ‘initiative or push.’ He doesn’t care a rap if I sweep a crossing or a chimney, as long as I am able to maintain myself, become independent, and learn to walk alone.” “So that is Uncle Richard’s programme!” said Lady Kesters reflectively. “Now, let’s have some tea,” and she proceeded to pour it out. “The little cakes are cold and stodgy, but try these sandwiches. Martin is away to-night--he had to go to a big meeting in Leeds, and won’t be home. I shall send for your things. I suppose you are at your old quarters in Ryder Street?” “Yes; they have been awfully decent to me, and kept my belongings when I was away.” “And you must come here for a week, and we will think out some scheme. I wish you could stay on and make your home here. But you know Martin has the same sort of ideas as Uncle Richard; he began, when he was eighteen, on a pound a week, and made his own way, and thinks every young man should do the same.” “I agree with him there--though it may sound funny to hear me say so, Sis. I hope you don’t imagine I’ve come back to loaf; I shall be only too glad to be on my own.” “I suppose you have no money at all?” she inquired, as she replenished his teacup. “I have fifteen pounds, if you call that nothing, all my London kit, a pair of guns, and a gold watch.” “But what brought you back so suddenly? You did not half explain to me this morning, when you tumbled from the skies.”