Big Game - A Story for Girls

Ronald's reply dealt at length with the subject of environment, and his

father was given to understand that the conditions in which his life was

spent were mean, sordid, demoralising; fatal to all that was true and

beautiful. The lad also gave it as his opinion that, so far from

regarding money as a worthy object for a life's ambition, the true lover

of Nature would be cumbered by the possession of more than was

absolutely necessary for food and clothing. And as for neglecting a

God-given gift-"What authority have you for asking me to believe that the gift exists

at all, except in your own imagination? Tell me that, if you please!"

cried the father. "You spend a small income in stamps and paper, but so

far as I know no human creature can be induced to publish your God-given

rhymes!"

At this point matters became decidedly strained, and a serious quarrel

might have developed, had it not been for the diplomatic intervention of

Margot, the youngest and fairest of Mr Vane's three daughters.

Margot pinched her father's ears and kissed him on the end of his nose,

a form of caress which he seemed to find extremely soothing.

"He is only twenty-one, darling," she said, referring to the turbulent

heir. "You ought to be thankful that he has such good tastes, instead

of drinking and gambling, like some other young men. Really and truly I

believe he is a genius, but even if he is not, there is nothing to be

gained by using force. Ron has a very strong will--you have yourself,

you know, dear, only of course in your case it is guided by judgment and

common sense--and you will never drive him into doing a thing against

his will. Now just suppose you let him go his own way for a time! Six

months or a year can't matter so very much out of a lifetime, and you

will never regret erring on the side of kindness."

"Since when, may I ask, have you set yourself up as your father's

mentor?" cried that gentleman with a growl; but he was softening

obviously, and Margot knew as much, and pinched his nose for a change.

"You must try to remember how you felt yourself when you were young. If

you wanted a thing, how badly you wanted it, and how soon, and how

terribly cruel every one seemed who interfered! Give Ron a chance, like

the dear old sportsman as you are, before you tie him down for life!

It's a pity I'm not a boy--I should have loved to be at Lloyd's. Even

now--if I went round with the slips, and coaxed the underwriters, don't

you think it might be a striking and lucrative innovation?"