Page 149 - Fairbrass

‘ Dear me, dear me ! ’ said the lawyer, in
evident distress. ( I don’t think Fairbrass

would like this. ’

The lawyer was right. Fairbrass did
not like it at all, and it is to be feared that
if he could have spoken he would have

broken through all the old-established rules

laid down to guide young folk in their
conduct towards their more experienced and
consequently better-able-to-judge elders.

His inclination was to disclose himself,

express bitter indignation, assert his un­
doubted rights, and give all his fortune to
his sister on the simple condition that she

would immediately marry her lover. Fortu­
nately for the credit of all the old copy-book

maxims, his infirmity kept him tongue-tied,
11 must ask you,1 said the father, address­

ing the lawyer, in cold and measured tones,
‘ not to drag the name of our poor afflicted

boy Fairbrass into this conversation. You
now know our wishes with regard to

this young man, and I have to ask you
to explain them to him. As you are