Bad Hugh

"I never meddle with your affairs," and there was a tone of whining

complaint in Mrs. Worthington's voice; "I never pry and you never tell,

so I don't know how much you are worth, but I can judge somewhat, and I

don't think you are able."

Mrs. Worthington was much more easily won over to Hugh's opinion than

'Lina. They'd be a county talk, she said; nobody would come near them;

hadn't Hugh enough on his hands already without taking more?

"If my considerate sister really thinks so, hadn't she better try and

help herself a little?" retorted Hugh in a blaze of anger.

'Lina began to cry, and Hugh, repenting of his harsh speech as soon as

it was uttered, but far too proud to take it back, strode up and down

the room, chafing like a young lion.

"Come children, it's after midnight, let us adjourn until to-morrow,"

Mrs. Worthington said, by way of ending the painful interview, at the

same time handing a candle to Hugh, who took it silently and withdrew,

banging the door behind him with a force which made 'Lina start and

burst into a fresh flood of tears.

"I'm a brute, a savage, and want to kick myself," was Hugh's not very

self-complimentary soliloquy, as he went up the stairs. "What did I want

to twit Ad for? Confound my badness!" and having by this time reached

his own door, Hugh sat down to think.