Constance
also was at home. Lady Augusta had insisted upon it that she should not
come to the children on that, the first day after her father and
mother's return. They were alone when Lady Augusta entered.
Lady Augusta's first movement was to fling herself into a chair and
burst into tears. "What am I to say to you?" she exclaimed. "What
apology can I urge for my unhappy boy?"
"Nay, dear Lady Augusta, do not let it thus distress you," said Mr.
Channing. "You are no more to be held responsible for what Roland has
done, than we were for Arthur, when he was thought guilty."
"Oh, I don't know," she sobbed. "Perhaps, if I had been more strict
with him always, he would never have done it. I wish I had made a point
of giving them a whipping every night, all round, from the time they
were two years old!" she continued, emphatically. "Would that have made
my children turn out better, do you think?"
Mrs. Channing could not forbear a smile. "It is not exactly
_strictness_ that answers with children, Lady Augusta."
"Goodness me! I don't know what does answer with them, then! I have
been indulgent enough to mine, as every one else knows; and see how
they are turning out! Roland to go and take a bank-note! And, as if
that were not bad enough, to let the odium rest upon Arthur! You will
never forgive him! I am certain that you never can or will forgive him!
And you and all the town will visit it upon me!"
When Lady Augusta fell into this tearful humour of complaint, it was
better to let it run its course; as Mr.
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