A Heritage and its History Read Online Free PDF Page B

have!”
    â€œI would not quite say that of yours,” said Sir Edwin, smiling.
    â€œHere are two people who will have opinions on the matter, indeed on all matters,” said Hamish, as his sons were heard. “And they will not grudge them to us.”
    â€œWe are not guilty of intrusion,” said Simon, “or of any hope that we might be welcome. My mother has sent us to enquire for my father and to help him home. She was afraid he would find the second walk too much.”
    â€œAre you prepared to bear me in your arms?” said Hamish.
    â€œCertainly, if there is need.”
    â€œI shall be glad of your support. I have come here for the last time, unaided. That is, for the last time. You must let me make the most of it.”
    â€œWe will do the same,” said Walter. “It is good to come out to tea without being asked.”
    â€œYou may not have done that,” said his father.
    â€œBut you perceive we have. Miss Graham is pouring it out. I am no longer affecting not to see.”
    â€œIs your mother troubled about me?”
    â€œNot now you are in our charge.”
    â€œIt is good to be a strong, young man,” said Rhoda. “One of the best things.”
    â€œNot as good as that,” said Walter. “We always have too little to our credit. A woman is not expected to have so much. It is enough that she exists.”
    â€œOh, a good deal more is required of her than that. You would not like to be one?”
    â€œYes, I think I should. I should feel less guilt. Andpeople say I should make a good-looking woman. Simon would make such an awkward one.”
    â€œMy wife would have liked Walter to be a girl,” said Hamish. “And I should have welcomed a daughter.”
    â€œNo wonder I am guilty. That throws its own light.”
    â€œI should have liked a sister as well as a brother,” said Simon.
    â€œSimon, I hoped I was enough for you. The light grows fierce.”
    â€œI think you would make a good man, Rhoda,” said Simon.
    â€œI often have to be one. And I seem to manage fairly well.”
    â€œSimon, have you any reason to use Miss Graham’s Christian name?” said Hamish.
    â€œI have assumed I have tacit permission.”
    â€œMost things should be tacit,” said Walter. “I often wish everything was.”
    â€œAh, Walter’s Oxford history makes a sad tale,” said Hamish.
    â€œFather, pray let it be tacit.”
    â€œYou may depend too much upon that refuge.”
    â€œBut let me do so enough.”
    â€œCome, I have said nothing yet.”
    â€œYou said it in a word,” said Simon.
    â€œWell, if I went further, I might say too much.”
    â€œI don’t think the term, tacit, seems much good,” said Walter.
    â€œYou always seem so happy about things,” said Fanny to Simon.
    â€œIt is useless to be crushed by them. It can do nothing. There is so much in front of us; my father’s death, my mother’s widowhood, my uncle’s bereavement, my own dull and subservient life. There is no point in dwelling on it all, as if it were not enough.”
    â€œYour father is being brave. I daresay you wish he would be less so.”
    â€œI suppose he is; yes, of course he is. But I think cowardice is best,” said Simon, laughing. “When my time comes, I shall be a coward. It will be better for me and everyone.”
    â€œI should be a coward anyhow. So much of one, that I doubt the usefulness.”
    â€œMy father does what he owes to himself. I believe a lot of virtue comes from that. His conception of himself is too high.”
    â€œLiving up to it must be a strain. I should not think it is good for him.”
    â€œI am sure it is not. It is helping to shorten his life,” said Simon, with his open acceptance of truth. “He should spare himself.”
    â€œMy sister’s conception of herself is also high. All her conceptions are. She would