Mrs. Evelyn was indeed naturally disposed to augur well whenever the
complaint was not hereditary, and she was besides in excellent
spirits at the very visible progress of both her sons, the one in
physical, the other in moral health, and she could not but attribute
both to the companionship that she had been so anxious to prevent.
She had never seen Duke look so well, nor seem so free from languor
and indifference since he was a mere child, and all seemed due to his
devotion to Armine; while as to Cecil, he seemed to have a new spring
of improvement, which he ascribed altogether to his friend.
"It is strange to me to hear this of my poor Jock," said Caroline,
"always my pickle and scapegrace, though he is a dear good-hearted
boy. His uncle says it is that he wants a strong hand, but don't you
think an uncle's strong hand is much worse than any mother's
weakness?"
"Not than her weakness," said Mrs. Evelyn. "It is her love, I think,
that you mean. There are some boys with whom strong hands are vain,
but who will guide themselves for love, and that we mothers are
surely the ones to infuse."
"My boys are affectionate enough, dear fellows," said Caroline
proudly, forgetting her sore disappointment that neither Allen nor
Robert had chosen to come to her help.
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