My meaning is, that no man can expect his
children to respect what he degrades.'
'Ha, ha, ha!' laughed the gentleman. 'Cant! cant! The common cant!'
'The common story, sir!' said Tom; 'the story of a common mind. Your
governess cannot win the confidence and respect of your children,
forsooth! Let her begin by winning yours, and see what happens then.'
'Miss Pinch is getting her bonnet on, I trust, my dear?' said the
gentleman.
'I trust she is,' said Tom, forestalling the reply. 'I have no doubt
she is. In the meantime I address myself to you, sir. You made your
statement to me, sir; you required to see me for that purpose; and I
have a right to answer it. I am not loud or turbulent,' said Tom, which
was quite true, 'though I can scarcely say as much for you, in your
manner of addressing yourself to me. And I wish, on my sister's behalf,
to state the simple truth.'
'You may state anything you like, young man,' returned the gentleman,
affecting to yawn. 'My dear, Miss Pinch's money.'
'When you tell me,' resumed Tom, who was not the less indignant for
keeping himself quiet, 'that my sister has no innate power of commanding
the respect of your children, I must tell you it is not so; and that she
has.
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