THE PRODIGALS MORRISON AND GIBB, PRINTERS, EDINBURGH. THE PRODIGALS _AND THEIR INHERITANCE_ BY MRS. OLIPHANT AUTHOR OF “CHRONICLES OF CARLINGFORD” “THE WIZARD’S SON” ETC. ETC. Complete Methuen & Co. 36 ESSEX STREET, LONDON, W.C. 1894 THE PRODIGALS CHAPTER I “Is it to-night he is coming, Winnie?” “Yes, father. I have sent the dog-cart to the station.” “It was unnecessary, quite unnecessary. What has he to do with dog-carts or any luxury? He should have been left to find his way as best he could. It is not many dog-carts he will find waiting at his beck and call. That sort of indulgence, it is only putting nonsense in his head, and making him think I don’t mean what I say.” “But, father”-- “Don’t father me. Why don’t you speak like other girls in your position? You have always been brought up to be a lady; you ought to use the same words that ladies use. And mind you, Winifred, don’t make any mistake, I mean what I say. Tom can talk, none better, but he will not get over me; I have washed my hands of him. So long as I thought these boys were going to do me credit I spared nothing on them; but now that I know better--Don’t let him try to get over me, for it is no use.” “Oh, papa, he is still so young; he has done nothing very bad, only foolishness, only what you used to say all young men did.” “Things are come to a pretty pass,” said the father, “when girls like you, who call themselves modest girls, take up the defence of a blackguard like Tom.” “He is not a blackguard,” cried the girl colouring to her hair. “You are an authority on the subject, I suppose? But perhaps I know a little better. He and his brother have taken me in--me, a man that never was taken in in my life before! but now I wash my hands of them both. There’s the money for his journey and the letter to Stafford. No--on second thoughts I’ll not give him the money for his journey; he’d stay in London and spend it, and then think there was more where that came from. Write down the office of the Cable Line in Liverpool--he’ll get his ticket there.” “But you’ll see him, papa?” “Why should I see him? I know what would happen--you and he together would fling yourselves at my feet, or some of that nonsense. Yes, you’re right--on the whole, I think I will see him, and then you’ll know once for all how little is to be looked for from me.” “Oh, papa! you do yourself injustice; your heart is kinder than you think,” cried Winifred, with tears.