Depend upon it, Ruthven, if he
knew all, would much prefer the connection John would have, and she
would bring means to set up directly."
"I suppose you will have it so," replied she, looking up to him
affectionately.
"I should like it," he said. "It is the one thing for them, and
waiting might do her infinite harm; the dear old Monk deserves it
every way. Remember how it all turned on his desperate race. If
your comfort depended on my taking it, that would come first."
"Oh, no."
"But there is sure to turn up plenty of other work without leaving
you," he continued. "I don't fancy getting involved in West-end
practice among swells, and not being independent. I had rather see
whether I can't work out this principle further, devoting myself to
reading up for it, and getting more hospital experience to go upon."
"I dare say that is quite right. I know it is like your father, and
indeed I shall be quite content however you decide. Only might it
not be well to see how it strikes John, before you absolutely make it
over to him?"
"You are trying to be prudent against the grain, Mother Carey."
"Trying to see it like your uncle. Yes, exactly as if I were trying
to forestall his calling me his good little sister."
"I don't know what he would call me," said Jock, "for at the bottom
is a feeling that, after reading my father's words, I had rather not,
if I can help it, begin immediately to make all that material
advantage out of 'Magnum Bonum' as you call it.
Pages:
832
833
834
835
836
837
838
839
840
841
842
843
844
845
846
847
848
849
850
851
852
853
854
855
856