"
"Yes, he told me selling my horses was shocking bad economy."
"Well, it was your own doing, having him up here," said Bobus.
"I wonder how he will go on when the money is really not there."
"Precisely the same," said Bobus; "there's no cure for that sort of
complaint. The only satisfaction is that we shall be out of sight of
it."
"And a very poor one," sighed Jock, "when mother is left to bear the
brunt."
"Mother can manage him much better than we can," said Bobus;
"besides, she is still a youngish woman, neither helpless nor
destitute; and as I always tell you, the greatest kindness we can do
her is to look out for ourselves."
Bobus himself had done so effectually, for he was secure of a
handsome salary, and his travelling expenses were to be paid, when,
early in the next year, he was to go out with his Principal to confer
on the Japanese the highest possible culture in science and
literature without any bias in favour of Christianity, Buddhism, or
any other sublime religion.
Meantime he was going home to make his preparations, and pack such
portions of his museum as he thought would be unexampled in Japan.
He had fulfilled his intention of only informing his mother after his
application had been accepted; and as it had been done by letter, he
had avoided the sight of the pain it gave her and the hearing of her
remonstrances, all of which he had referred to her maternal dislike
of his absence, rather than to his association with the Principal, a
writer whose articles she kept out of reach of Armine and Barbara.
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