'Would you like me to be in Parliament?' Richard asked, putting down
his foot and leaning back his head a little.
'Certainly, if you feel that it is a step gained.'
'That's just what I think it would be. Well, we must talk about it
again. By-the-by, I've just had to send a fellow about his
business.'
'To discharge a man?' Adela asked, with pain.
'Yes. It's that man Rendal; I was talking about him the other day,
you remember. He's been getting drunk; I'll warrant it's not the
first time.'
'And you really must send him away? Couldn't you give him another
chance?'
'No. He was impudent to me, and I can't allow that. He'll have to
go.'
Richard spoke with decision. When the fact of impudence was
disclosed Adela felt that it was useless to plead. She looked at her
fan and was sorrowful.
'So you are going to read to the youngsters to-day?' Mutimer
recommenced.
'Yes; Mr. Wyvern has given me a book that will do very well indeed.'
'Oh, has he?' said Richard doubtfully. 'Is it a religious book?
That kind of thing won't do, you know.'
'No, it isn't religious at all. Only a book of fairy tales.'
'Fairy tales!' There was scorn in his way of repeating the words.
'Couldn't you find something useful? A history book, you know, or
about animals, or something of that kind.
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