"Father," said he, to save trouble, and
to prevent you and me both from thrashing the wind in this manner, I
think it right to tell you that I have no notion of marrying such a girl
as Cavanagh's daughter."
"No," continued his mother, "nor if you had, I wouldn't suffer it."
"Very well," said the father; "is that your mind?"
"That's my mind, sir."
"Well, now, listen to mine, and maybe, Hycy, I'll taiche you better
manners and more respect for your father; suppose I bring your brother
home from school,--suppose I breed him up an honest farmer,--and suppose
I give him all my property, and lave Mr. Gentleman Hycy to lead a
gentleman's life on his own means, the best way he can. There now is
something for you to suppose, and so I must go to my men."
He took up his hat as he spoke and went out to the fields, leaving both
mother and son in no slight degree startled by an intimation so utterly
unexpected, but which they knew enough of him to believe was one not at
all unlikely to be acted on by a man who so frequently followed up his
own determinations with a spirit amounting almost to obstinacy.
"I think, mother," observed the latter, "we must take in sail a little;
'the gentleman' won't bear the ironical to such an extent, although he
is master of it in his own way; in other words, Mr. Burke won't bear to
be laughed at.
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