To this the
Colonel fully responded, telling Jock that he would have given the
world thirty years ago for such a chance, and commending him for thus
getting off his mother's hands.
"I only wish the rest of you were doing the same," he said, "but each
one seems to think himself the first person to be thought of, and her
the last."
"The Colonel's wish seemed in course of fulfilment, for when Lucas
went a few days later to his brother Robert's rooms, he found him
collecting testimonials for his fitness to act as Vice-principal to a
European college at Yokohama for the higher education of the
Japanese.
"Mother has not heard of it," said Jock.
"She need not till it is settled," answered Bobus. "It will save her
trouble with her clerical friends if she only knows too late for a
protest."
Jock understood when he saw the stipulations against religious
teaching, and recognised in the Principal's name an essayist whose
negations of faith had made some stir. However, he only said, "It
will be rather a blow."
"There are limits to all things," replied Bobus. "The truest
kindness to her is to get afloat away from the family raft as
speedily as possible. She has quite enough to drag her down."
"I should hope to act the other way," said Jock.
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