The lad came from the window, thrust his
hands more firmly into his pockets and stood prepared to do battle
for his freeman's rights It is not every day that a youth of his
stamp finds himself gloriously capable of renouncing work. There was
something like a glow of conscious virtue on his face.
'You're not going to work any more, eh?' said his brother, half to
himself. 'And who's going to support you?' he asked, with rather
forced indignation.
'There's interest per cent. coming out of my money.'
'Arry must not be credited with conscious accuracy in his use of
terms; he merely jumbled together two words which had stuck in his
memory.
'Oh? And what are you going to do with your time?'
'That's my business. How do other men spend their time?'
The reply was obvious, but Richard felt the full seriousness of the
situation and restrained his scornful impulses.
'Sit down, will you?' he said quietly, pointing to a chair.
His tone availed more than anger would have done.
'You tell me I take good care not to do any work myself? There
you're wrong. I'm working hard every day.'
'Oh, we know what kind of work that is!'
'No, I don't think you do. Perhaps it would be as well if you were
to see. I think you'd better go to Wanley with me.'
'What for?'
'I dare say I can give you a job for awhile.
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