"Well, so he is, father. I asked him to lend me five shillings the day before yesterday, and he called me an importunate beggar." "You had no business to ask him for money, sir." "Who am I to ask, then? I must have money. You won't let me go out to work." "No, sir; you are a gentleman's son, and must act as a gentleman." "I can't act as a gentleman without money," cried the lad, eating away, for, to hide the look of pain in her face, Claire kept diligently attending to her brother's wants by supplying him with a fair amount of thin tea and bread and butter, as well as her own share of the bacon. "My dear son," said the MC with dignity, "everything comes to the man who will wait. Your sister May has made a wealthy marriage. Claire will, I have no doubt, do the same, and I have great hopes of your prospects." "Haven't any prospects," said the lad, in an ill-used tone. "Not from me," said the MC, "for I am compelled to keep up appearances before the world, and my fees and offerings are not nearly so much as people imagine." "Then why don't we live accordingly?" said the lad roughly. "Allow me, with my experience, sir, to know best; and I desire that you will not take that tone towards me. Recollect, sir, that I am your father." "Indeed, dear papa, Morton does not mean to be disrespectful." "Silence, Claire. And you, Morton; I will be obeyed." "All right, father. I'll obey fast enough, but it does seem precious hard to see Ikey down in the kitchen stuffing himself, and us up in the parlour going short so as to keep up appearances." "My boy," said the MC pathetically, "it is Spartan-like. It is self-denying and manly. Have courage, and all will end well. I know it is hard. It is my misfortune, but I appeal to you both, do I ever indulge myself at your expense? Do I ever spare myself in my efforts for you?" "No, no, no, dear," cried Claire, rising with tears in her eyes to throw her arm round his neck and kiss him. "Good girl!--good girl!" he said, smiling sadly, and returning the embrace. "But sit down, sit down now, and let us discuss these very weighty matters. Fortune is beginning to smile upon us, my dears. May is off my hands--well married." Claire shook her head sadly. "I say well married, Claire," said her father sternly, "and though we have still that trouble ever facing us, of a member of our family debauched by drunkenness, and sunk down to the degradation of a common soldier--" "Oh! I say, father, leave poor old Fred alone," cried Morton. "He isn't a bad fellow; only unlucky." "Be silent, sir, and do not mention his name again in my presence. And Claire, once for all, I forbid his coming to this house." "He only came to the back door," grumbled Morton. "A son who is so degraded that he cannot come to the front door, and must lower himself to the position of one of our servants, is no companion for my children. I forbid all further communication with him."