"Thank you, sir. If I borrowed from any one it would be from you. But
my father has this very sum, five thousand pounds, and, as I tell him, I
owe him so much that I have no compunction about owing him more."
"No compunction! Surely there are some sacrifices which a son should not
allow his parents to make."
"Sacrifices! What do you mean?"
"Is it possible that you do not know how this money has been obtained?"
"I give you my word, Doctor Walker, that I have no idea. I asked my
father, but he refused to tell me."
"I thought not," said the Doctor, the gloom clearing from his brow. "I
was sure that you were not a man who, to clear yourself from a little
money difficulty, would sacrifice the happiness of your mother and the
health of your father."
"Good gracious! what do you mean?"
"It is only right that you should know. That money represents the
commutation of your father's pension. He has reduced himself to poverty,
and intends to go to sea again to earn a living."
"To sea again! Impossible!"
"It is the truth. Charles Westmacott has told Ida. He was with him
in the City when he took his poor pension about from dealer to dealer
trying to sell it. He succeeded at last, and hence the money."
"He has sold his pension!" cried Harold, with his hands to his face. "My
dear old dad has sold his pension!" He rushed from the room, and burst
wildly into the presence of his parents once more. "I cannot take it,
father," he cried. "Better bankruptcy than that. Oh, if I had only known
your plan! We must have back the pension. Oh, mother, mother, how could
you think me capable of such selfishness? Give me the cheque, dad, and
I will see this man to-night, for I would sooner die like a dog in the
ditch than touch a penny of this money."