It was not long
before she saw him leave the house, accompanied by the faithful
old clerk; and when he met her at dinner he made no allusion to
his morning visitor, or to his subsequent going out. But from
that time forwards he went regularly to the office. He received
all the information about Dick's accident, and his progress
towards recovery, in perfect silence, and in as indifferent a
manner as he could assume; but yet he lingered about the family
sitting-room every morning until the post had come in which
brought all letters from the south.
When Mr. Farquhar at last returned to bring the news of Dick's
perfect convalescence, he resolved to tell Mr. Bradshaw all that
he had done and arranged for his son's future career; but, as Mr.
Farquhar told Mr. Benson afterwards, he could not really say if
Mr. Bradshaw had attended to one word that he said.
"Rely upon it," said Mr. Benson, "he has not only attended to it,
but treasured up every expression you have used."
"Well, I tried to get some opinion, or sign of emotion, out of
him. I had not much hope of the latter, I must own; but I thought
he would have said whether I had done wisely or not in procuring
that Glasgow situation for Dick--that he would, perhaps, have
been indignant at my ousting him from the partnership so entirely
on my own responsibility."
"How did Richard take it?"
"Oh, nothing could exceed his penitence.
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