"He's
apathetic! He just moves along. Sometimes I think he was born half
asleep, and he's never been really awakened. Pity, isn't it?"
"Considering everything--a great pity," agreed Collingwood. "But--he's
provided for."
Nesta gave him a swift glance.
"It might have been a good deal better for him if he hadn't been
provided for!" she said. "He'd have just had to do something, then.
But--if you come back, you'll come here sometimes?"
"Of course!" answered Collingwood. "And if I come back, it will probably
be to stop here. Mr. Eldrick says there's a lot of work going begging in
Barford--for a smart young barrister well up in commercial law. Perhaps
I may try to come up to his standard--I'm certainly young, but I don't
know whether I'm smart."
"Better come and try," she said, smiling. "Don't forget that I've seen
you look the part, anyway--your wig and gown suited you very well."
"Theatrical properties," he replied, laughing. "The wig was too small,
and the gown too long. Well--we'll see. But in the meantime, I'm going
away for four months--to India."
"To India--four months!" she exclaimed. "That sounds nice."
"Legal business," said Collingwood. "I shall be back about the end of
April--and then I shall probably come down here again, and seriously
consider Eldrick's suggestion. I'm very much inclined to take it.
Pages:
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104