"But I think he means well, my dear," said Mrs Wilton, plaintively. "It is not his fault. My poor dear sister did spoil him so." "Humph! And she was not alone. Look here, Claud, I will not have him here. I have reasons for it, and he, with his gambling and racing propensities, is no proper companion for you." "P'raps old Garstang says the same about me," said the young man, sulkily. "Claud, my dear, for shame," said Mrs Wilton. "You should not say such things." "I don't care what John Garstang says; I will not have his boy here. Insolent, priggish, wanting in respect to me, and--and--he was a deal too attentive to Kate." "Oh, my dear, did you think so?" cried Mrs Wilton. "Yes, madam, I did think so," said her husband with asperity, "and, what was ten times worse, you were always leaving them together in your blundering way." "Don't say such things to me, dear, before Claud." "Then don't spend your time making mistakes. Just come, have you, sir?" "Oh, yes, father, just come," said the young man, with an offensive grin. "You heard more than you said, sir," said the Squire, "so we may as well have a few words at once." "No, no, no, my dear; pray, pray don't quarrel with Claud now; I'm sure he wants to do everything that is right." "Be quiet, Maria," cried the Squire, angrily. "All right, mother; I'm not going to quarrel," said the son. "Of course not I only want Claud to understand his position. Look here, sir, you are at an age when a bo--, when a man doesn't understand the value of money." "Oh, I say, guv'nor! Come, I like that." "It's quite true, sir. You boys only look upon money as something to spend." "Right you are, this time." "But it means more, sir--power, position, the respect of your fellows-- everything." "Needn't tell me, guv'nor; I think I know a thing or two about tin." "Now, suppose we leave slang out of the matter and talk sensibly, sir, about a very important matter." "Go on ahead then, dad; I'm listening." "Sit down then, Claud." "Rather stand, guv'nor; stand and grow good, ma." "Yes, my dear, do then," said Mrs Wilton, smiling at her son fondly. "But listen now to what papa says; it really is very important." "All right, mother; but cut it short, father, my horse is waiting and I don't want him to take cold." "Of course not, my boy; always take care of your horse. I will be very brief and to the point, then. Look here, Claud, your cousin, Katherine--" "Oh! Ah, yes; I heard she was ill. What does the Doctor say?" "Never mind what the Doctor says. It is merely a fit of depression and low spirits. Now this is a serious matter. I did drop hints to you before. I must be plain now about my ideas respecting your future. You understand?" "Quite fly, dad. You want me to marry her." "Exactly. Of course in good time." "But ain't I `owre young to marry yet,' as the song says?"