Mr. Arnold’s manner to Hugh was the same as in the morning—studiously
polite, without the smallest approach to cordiality. He addressed him as
an equal, it is true; but an equal who could never be in the smallest
danger of thinking he meant it. Hugh, who, without having seen a great
deal of the world, yet felt much the same wherever he was, took care to
give him all that he seemed to look for, as far at least as was consistent
with his own self-respect. He soon discovered that he was one of those
men, who, if you will only grant their position, and acknowledge their
authority, will allow you to have much your own way in everything. His
servants had found this out long ago, and almost everything about the
house was managed as they pleased; but as the oldest of them were
respectable family servants, nothing went very far wrong. They all,
however, waited on Euphra with an assiduity that showed she was, or could
be, quite mistress when and where she pleased. Perhaps they had found out
that she had great influence with Mr. Arnold; and certainly he seemed very
fond of her indeed, after a stately fashion. She spoke to the servants
with peculiar gentleness; never said, if you please; but always, thank
you. Harry never asked for anything, but always looked to Euphra, who gave
the necessary order. Hugh saw that the boy was quite dependent upon her,
seeming of himself scarcely capable of originating the simplest action.
Mr. Arnold, however, dull as he was, could not help seeing that Harry’s
manner was livelier than usual, and seemed pleased at the slight change
already visible for the better. Turning to Hugh he said:
“Do you find Harry very much behind with his studies, Mr. Sutherland?”
“I have not yet attempted to find out,” replied Hugh.
“Not?” said Mr. Arnold, with surprise.
“No. If he be behind, I feel confident it will not be for long.”
“But,” began Mr. Arnold, pompously; and then he paused.
“You were kind enough to say, Mr. Arnold, that I might try my own plans
with him first. I have been doing so.”
“Yes—certainly. But—”
Here Harry broke in with some animation:
“Mr. Sutherland has been my horse, carrying me about on his back all the
morning—no, not all the morning—but an hour, or an hour and a
half—or was it two hours, Mr. Sutherland?”
“I really don’t know, Harry,” answered Hugh; “I don’t think it matters
much.”
Harry seemed relieved, and went on:
“He has been reading Gulliver’s Travels to me—oh, such fall! And we
have been to see the cows and the pigs; and Mr. Sutherland has been
teaching me to jump. Do you know, papa, he jumped right over the pony’s
back without touching it.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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