Mr Lee was staggered; he rose up from his seat; he walked with firm paces straight across the room; he stood by the window as if he were looking at the valley on which already the evening radiance fell. In spite of himself his nephew’s words had pleased him, the challenge he had flung had been accepted courageously; whatever might be this young man’s faults and failings, it was obvious that he was not without qualities. And then, the readiness, the refinement of his visitor, were beginning at length to impress him favourably; if he had been partly repelled by them during the first few minutes, he felt the reaction in their favour now. It needed the remembrance of all he had seen and heard during his visit to the Manor Farm in the absence of his relations, to recall to him the caution which, although it was habitual to him, he felt for once almost disposed to drop. For he was a lonely man .... he did not know how to spend his money .... and if these young relations would submit to him .... With a decided movement--but then his movements were always decided--he turned away from the window, and the evening glow on the valley: and with a few strides crossed the room, and stood by the table near which his nephew sat. He stood with his hands resting on it, a favourite attitude, looking down on the young man, his harsh features furrowed and rugged with an agitation, which rendered it difficult for him to speak at once. There was no sign of emotion, however, in his hard, dry voice, when at length he spoke. ‘Nephy Gillan,’ he said, ‘I’ll deal direct by ye, as ye, on your part, have dealt direct by me; I’ve got some money--I’ve got a deal o’ money--an’ I’d as lieve waste it on ye as on charities. But then, ye see, I don’t know ye well eno’, and I’m not quite satisfied with all I’ve heard on ye--I don’t want to give money, as ye’ll well understand, for a girl to flurret, an’ a boy to gamble with.’ It was a home-thrust, and the young man’s head bent again, although less in surprise than in perplexity; for it was not easy to decide in the first instant in what manner these accusations should be met. He was not aware of the extent of his uncle’s information, and it might be dangerous to attempt denials; and, moreover, the past scrapes of himself and Tina were subjects on which he did not wish questions to be asked. It appeared safer, therefore, to assume humility--the humility that disarms opposition and in that way defends itself.