Lord Radclyffe, speaking like a fretful child in a thin voice that cracked now and again. "He will be the head of the family presently —— "
"Not," interposed Luke earnestly, "before many years are past, I trust and pray for all our sakes, Uncle Rad —— "
"The sooner," continued the old man, not heeding the interruption, "those young jackanapes learn to respect him, the better it will be for them."
"Jim and Edie have been a little spoiled by your kindness, sir. They are finding the lesson a little hard to learn. Perhaps they had better go and study elsewhere."
Lord Radclyffe made no reply. Silence was full of potent meaning; of submission to another's more dominant personality, of indifference to everything save to peace and quiet.
Suppressing a sigh of bitter disappointment, Luke rose to go.
"Then," he said, "the sooner I make all arrangements the better. There's only the agreement for the flat to sign and we can move in next week."
"Where's the flat?" queried the old man hesitatingly.
"In Exhibition Road, Kensington, close to the park. Edie loves the park, and it won't be far from barracks for Jim."
"But you've no furniture. How will you furnish a flat? Don't go yet," continued Lord Radclyffe seeing that Luke was preparing to take his leave. "Philip won't be here till tea time."
"I am afraid, sir, that I don't care to steal a few minutes of your company, just when Philip is absent. I would rather not see you at all than see you on sufferance."
"You are very obstinate and tiresome — and you make it so difficult for me. I want to hear about the furniture — and how you are going to manage."
"Lou is helping Edie to get what is wanted," replied Luke, smiling despite the heavy weight of disappointment in his heart. It was pitiable to see the old man's obvious feeling of relief in the absence of the man who was exercising such boundless influence over him.
"But have you money, Luke?" he asked.
"Not overmuch, sir, but enough."
"The fifteen thousand pounds your father left you?"
"Yes. And that's about all."
"And the fifteen thousand pounds from your uncle Arthur?"
"I don't know about that, sir. I think that should go back to Uncle Arthur's son."
"Nonsense, nonsense!" retorted Lord Radclyffe querulously. "I've talked to Dobson about that. Your uncle Arthur left that money to you — and not to his son. He had his own reasons for doing this. Dobson thinks so too."
"It is very kind of Mr. Dobson to trouble about my affairs but —— "
"The money was left to you," persisted the old man, "and to Jim and Edie and Frank."
"They will do whatever they like with their share, but I could not touch a penny of Uncle Arthur's money."
"What will you do?"
"I don't know yet, uncle. I have only had a month in which to think of so much — and there was the new flat to see to."
Lord Radclyffe rose and shuffled toward Luke. He dropped his voice, lest the library walls had ears.
"I'll not forget you, Luke — presently — when I am gone — and that won't be long — I'll provide for you — my will —— "
"Don't, Uncle Rad, for God's sake," and the cry was wrung from a heart overburdened with pity and with shame.
And without waiting to take more affectionate leave, Luke hurried from the room.
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