Christian life -- Fiction; City and town life -- Fiction; England -- Social conditions -- 20th century -- Fiction
Edward had not returned home for the midsummer vacation. Betty had met
him in London and they had made an extended tour on the Continent.
Anthony had not seen him for over a year when they met a few days
before Christmas. He looked ill. Oxford did not agree with him; he
found it enervating, but he thought he would get acclimatized. He had
been surprised at Anthony’s having been eager to enter his father’s
office. From their talks he had gathered that Anthony was bent upon
becoming a business man. He had expected him to try for a place in one
of the great steel works or a manufacturer’s office.
“Your grandfather didn’t make his money out of being a solicitor,”
explained Anthony. “Your father was telling me only the other day;
it was he who set going all the new schemes; they were his idea. He
got together the money for them and controlled them. You see, being
the leading solicitor of Millsborough, he was in touch with the right
people and knew all that was going on behind the scenes. Millsborough
was only a little place then, compared to what it is now. If your
father”--he checked himself and changed the words that had been upon
his lips--“cared to take the trouble he could be a millionaire before
he died.”
“I’m glad he doesn’t,” laughed Edward. “I hate millionaires.”
Betty was with them. They were returning home from a walk upon the
moors. Edward had clamoured for wind. According to him you wouldn’t get
it in Oxford. It was twilight, and they had reached the point where
Millsborough lay stretched out before them.
“It depends upon what use you make of it,” Betty chimed in. “Money is
a weapon. You can use it for conquering, winning more and more for
yourself; or you can use it for freeing the chained, protecting the
weak, fighting for the oppressed.”
“Oh, yes; I know the theory,” replied Edward. “Robin Hood. You take
it from the rich and give it to the poor. But Robin Hood must first
feast with his followers; that’s only fair. And must put by a bit for
a rainy day; that’s only common prudence. And then Little John puts in
his claims, and dear old Friar Tuck. Mustn’t forget Friar Tuck or the
blessing of God won’t be with us next time. And Maid Marion must have
a new kirtle and a ribbon or two to tie up her bonny brown hair. And
one or two things Robin wants for himself. By the time it’s all over
there’s nothing left for the poor.”
Anthony laughed. But Betty took it seriously.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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