A Family and a Fortune Read Online Free PDF Page A

one may not lead to the other. There may be no connexion and I think it is probable that there is not.’
    â€˜Dear little Aubrey!’ said Blanche, looking into space. ‘What will he become in time?’
    Mr Penrose rested his eyes on her, and then dropped them as if to cover an answer to this question.
    â€˜That is the best of an early lack of bent,’ said Clement. ‘It leaves an open future.’
    â€˜The child is father of the man,’ said Mark. ‘It is no good to shut our eyes to it.’
    â€˜I cannot grow into anything,’ said Aubrey, ‘until I begin to grow. I am not big enough to be my own son yet.’
    Edgar laughed, and Blanche glanced from him to his son with a mild glow in her face.
    â€˜We were talking of the growth of the mind, little boy,’ said Justine.
    â€˜I am sure he is much taller,’ said Blanche.
    â€˜Mother dear, his head comes to exactly the same place on the wall. We have not moved it for a year.’
    â€˜I moved it yesterday,’ said Aubrey, looking aside. ‘I have grown an inch.’
    â€˜I knew he had!’ said Blanche, with a triumph which did not strike anyone as disproportionate.
    â€˜If we indicate Aubrey on the wall,’ said Clement, ‘have we not dealt sufficiently with him?’
    â€˜Why do you talk about him like that? Why are you any better than he is?’
    â€˜We must now hear some more positive praise of Clement,’ said Aubrey.
    â€˜It need not amount to that,’ said his brother.
    â€˜I don’t want to have him just like everyone else,’ said Blanche, causing Aubrey’s face to change at the inexplicable attitude. ‘I like a little individuality. It is a definite advantage.’
    â€˜A good mother likes the ugly duckling best,’ said Justine, coming to her mother’s aid in her support of her son, and with apparent success, as the latter smiled to himself. ‘How do you really think he is getting along, Mr Penrose?’
    â€˜Mr Penrose has given us one account of him,’ said Edgar. ‘I think we will not - perhaps we will not ask him for another.’
    â€˜But I think we will, Father. The account was not very definite. Unless you really want to leave the subject, in which case your only daughter will not go against you. That would not be at all to your mind. Well, have you heard, Mr Penrose, that we are going to have a family of relations at the lodge?’
    â€˜No, I have not, Miss Gaveston. I have hardly had the opportunity.’
    â€˜Grandpa and Aunt Matty and Miss Griffin,’ said Aubrey.
    â€˜How do you know, little boy? We had the news when you had gone.’
    â€˜Jellamy told me when he was setting the luncheon.’
    â€˜Father, do you like Aubrey to make a companion of Jellamy?’
    â€˜Well, my dear, I think so; I do not think - I see no objection.’
    â€˜Then there is none. Your word on such a matter is enough. I shall like to see poor Miss Griffin again. I wonder how she is getting on.’
    â€˜Do I understand, Mr Gaveston, that it is Mrs Gaveston’s family who is coming to the vicinity?’ said Mr Penrose.
    â€˜Yes, Mr Penrose,’ said Justine, clearly. ‘My mother’s father and sister, and the sister’s companion, who has become a friend.’
    â€˜My father is an old man now,’ said Blanche.
    â€˜Well, Mother dear, he can hardly be anything else, with you - well, I will leave you the option in the matter of your own age - with a granddaughter thirty. Mr Penrose hardly needed that information.’
    â€˜And my sister is a little older than I am,’ continued Blanche, not looking at her daughter, though with no thought of venting annoyance. ‘She is an invalid from anaccident, but very well in herself. I am so much looking forward to having her.’
    â€˜Poor little Mother! It sounds as if you suffered from a lack of companionship. But we can’t skip a