"If Jack isn't old," said Mrs Neverbend, "I, at any rate, am older, and I say the same thing." "Of course I only said what I thought," continued Jack. "What I want to explain is, that I shall be there myself, and shall do all that I can to support the meeting." "In opposition to your father?" said I. "Well;--yes, I am afraid so. You see it's a public subject on a public matter, and I don't see that father and son have anything to do with it. If I were in the Assembly, I don't suppose I should be bound to support my father." "But you're not in the Assembly." "I have my own convictions all the same, and I find myself called upon to take a part." "Good gracious--yes! and to save poor old Mr Crasweller's life from this most inhuman law. He's just as fit to live as are you and I." "The only question is, whether he be fit to die,--or rather to be deposited, I mean. But I'm not going to argue the subject here. It has been decided by the law; and that should be enough for you two, as it is enough for me. As for Jack, I will not have him attend any such meeting. Were he to do so, he would incur my grave displeasure,--and consequent punishment." "What do you mean to do to the boy?" asked Mrs Neverbend. "If he ceases to behave to me like a son, I shall cease to treat him like a father. If he attends this meeting he must leave my house, and I shall see him no more." "Leave the house!" shrieked Mrs Neverbend. "Jack," said I, with the kindest voice which I was able to assume, "you will pack up your portmanteau and go to New Zealand the day after to-morrow. I have business for you to transact with Macmurdo and Brown of some importance. I will give you the particulars when I see you in the office." "Of course he won't go, Mr Neverbend," cried my wife. But, though the words were determined, there was a certain vacillation in the tone of her voice which did not escape me. "We shall see. If Jack intends to remain as my son, he must obey his father. I have been kind, and perhaps too indulgent, to him. I now require that he shall proceed to New Zealand the day after to-morrow. The boat sails at eight. I shall be happy to go down with him and see him on board." Jack only shook his head,--by which I understood that he meant rebellion. I had been a most generous father to him, and loved him as the very apple of my eye; but I was determined that I would be stern. "You have heard my order," I said, "and you can have to-morrow to think about it. I advise you not to throw over, and for ever, the affection, the fostering care, and all the comforts, pecuniary as well as others, which you have hitherto had from an indulgent father." "You do not mean to say that you will disinherit the boy?" said Mrs Neverbend.