Page 177 - sons-and-lovers

CHAPTER VI

DEATH IN THE FAMILY

ARTHUR MOREL was growing up. He was a quick, care-
less, impulsive boy, a good deal like his father. He hated
study, made a great moan if he had to work, and escaped as
soon as possible to his sport again.
In appearance he remained the flower of the family, be-
ing well made, graceful, and full of life. His dark brown hair
and fresh colouring, and his exquisite dark blue eyes shaded
with long lashes, together with his generous manner and fi-
ery temper, made him a favourite. But as he grew older his
temper became uncertain. He flew into rages over nothing,
seemed unbearably raw and irritable.
His mother, whom he loved, wearied of him sometimes.
He thought only of himself. When he wanted amusement,
all that stood in his way he hated, even if it were she. When
he was in trouble he moaned to her ceaselessly.
‘Goodness, boy!’ she said, when he groaned about a mas-
ter who, he said, hated him, ‘if you don’t like it, alter it, and
if you can’t alter it, put up with it.’
And his father, whom he had loved and who had wor-
shipped him, he came to detest. As he grew older Morel

1 Sons and Lovers