Moreover, I've made such provision as I can for
you, who have raised up the old name to honour, and who, as I hope, will
once more blend the de Cressis and the Claverings, the foes of three
generations, into a single House."
"Speak not so, father," answered Hugh, who was moved almost to tears.
"Mayhap it is I who shall die, while you live on to a green old age.
At least know that I am not forgetful of your love and kindness, seeing
that after Eve you are dearer to me than any on the earth."
"Ay, ay, after Eve and Eve's children. Still you'll have a kind thought
for me now and then, the old merchant who so often thwarted you when you
were a wayward lad--for your own good, as he held. For what more can
a father hope? But let us not weep before all these stranger men.
Farewell, son Hugh, of whom I am so proud. Farewell, son Hugh," and he
embraced him and went across the gangway, for the sailors were already
singing their chanty at the anchor.
"I never had a father than I can mind," said Grey Dick aloud to himself,
after his fashion, "yet now I wish I had, for I'd like to think on his
last words when there was nothing else to do. It's an ugly world as I
see it, but there's beauty in such love as this. The man for the maid
and the maid for the man--pish! they want each other. But the father and
the mother--they give all and take nothing. Oh, there's beauty in such
love as this, so perhaps God made it.
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