My mother leaned forward.

"Victor, do not set your heart upon it, I think that it will be impossible."

"Victor, do not set your heart upon it, I think that it will be impossible."

"Oh, am I also to know the reason for that, some day?"

"Oh, am I also to know the reason for that, some day?"

"Yes," she answered, "that goes with the rest."

"Yes," she answered, "that goes with the rest."

"Well, I shall be very pleased when that day comes."

"Well, I shall be very pleased when that day comes."

"Ah!" said Mr. Neville.  "I wonder."

"Ah!" said Mr. Neville.  "I wonder."

We sat silent for a while, and then I said again:

We sat silent for a while, and then I said again:

"What am I to do? You know, I am completely in the dark about everything. I have been supplied with money, it is true, but is it mine, or is it yours, mother? These things ought, I think, to be explained to me. Shall I have some day to work for a living, or do I inherit anything when I come of age, because I feel that, in the latter case, I can take a course that will be totally different to what it would be supposing I had to earn bread and cheese."

"What am I to do? You know, I am completely in the dark about everything. I have been supplied with money, it is true, but is it mine, or is it yours, mother? These things ought, I think, to be explained to me. Shall I have some day to work for a living, or do I inherit anything when I come of age, because I feel that, in the latter case, I can take a course that will be totally different to what it would be supposing I had to earn bread and cheese."

My stepfather had risen and was walking up and down the room.

 Prev. P 28/478 next