Page 605 - for-the-term-of-his-natural-life

‘To buy my mother’s life interest as provided, realize
upon the property, and travel,’ said Mr. Richard, helping
himself to potted grouse.
‘You amaze me, Richard. You confound me. Of course
you can do as you please. But so sudden a determination.
The old house—vases—coins—pictures— scattered—I real-
ly—Well, it is your property, of course—and—and—I wish
you a very good morning!’
‘I mean to do as I please,’ soliloquized Rex, as he resumed
his breakfast. ‘Let him sell his rubbish by auction, and go
and live abroad, in Germany or Jerusalem if he likes, the
farther the better for me. I’ll sell the property and make my-
self scarce. A trip to America will benefit my health.’
A knock at the door made him start.
‘Come in! Curse it, how nervous I’m getting. What’s that?
Letters? Give them to me; and why the devil don’t you put
the brandy on the table, Smithers?’
He drank some of the spirit greedily, and then began to
open his correspondence.
‘Cussed brute,’ said Mr. Smithers, outside the door. ‘He
couldn’t use wuss langwidge if he was a dook, dam ‘im!—
Yessir,’ he added, suddenly, as a roar from his master
recalled him.
‘When did this come?’ asked Mr. Richard, holding out a
letter more than usually disfigured with stampings.
‘Lars night, sir. It’s bin to ‘Amstead, sir, and come down
directed with the h’others.’ The angry glare of the black eyes
induced him to add, ‘I ‘ope there’s nothink wrong, sir.’
‘Nothing, you infernal ass and idiot,’ burst out Mr. Rich-

0 For the Term of His Natural Life