“You said he would go to his mother first: his mother is nowhere.”
“So say some, so say not I!”
“Never mind that. Who is it he calls his mother?”
“The woman that brought him up—and a good mother she's been to him!”
“But who is she? You haven't told me who she is!” cried the baronet, beginning to grow impatient; and impatience and anger were never far apart with him.
“No, sir, I haven't told you; and I don't mean to tell you till I see fit.”
“And when, pray, will that be?”
“When I have your promise in writing that you will give her no trouble about what is past and gone.”
“I will give you that promise—always provided she can prove that what was past and gone is come again. I shall insist upon that!”
“Most properly, sir I You shall not have to wait for it.—And now, if you will take me to the post-office, I will send a telegram to Richard, warning him to hold his tongue.”