Page 93 - Fairbrass

him, we respect him, we know that he is
wdl off, we have every reason to be grate­
ful. God bless them both ! By the way,

did you touch on the wretched money
question ? ’

‘ Y e s ; I told him frankly that my
daughter’s dowry depended not so much on

me as on her grandfather ; that between the
two houses there was an estrangement, but

no doubt that would some day blow over,
and so he might be certain she would not

come to him empty-handed.’
1 How clearly you put things, dear ! *

said the mother. ‘ How I wish I had your
business head ! ’

1A mere matter of habit,1 said the father
half apologetically. * You see, having, by

unkind fate, been driven to business, I
can't help more or less adopting its sordid
ways.1

Poor dear ! I know how it goes

against the grain with you,1 said the mother
fondly, kissing him. ‘ And did you—

1 Y es,’ said the father stoically, 1 I did.