Benson encountered Mr.
Farquhar in the street, and heard from him of the creditable and
respectable manner in which Richard was conducting himself in
Glasgow, where Mr. Farquhar had lately been on business.
"I am determined to tell his father of this," said he; "I think
his family are far too obedient to his tacit prohibition of all
mention of Richard's name."
"Tacit prohibition?" inquired Mr. Benson.
"Oh! I dare say I use the words in a wrong sense for the
correctness of a scholar; but what I mean is, that he made a
point of immediately leaving the room if Richard's name was
mentioned; and did it in so marked a manner, that by degrees they
understood that it was their father's desire that he should never
be alluded to; which was all very well as long as there was
nothing pleasant to be said about him; but to-night I am going
there, and shall take good care he does not escape me before I
have told him all I have heard and observed about Richard. He
will never be a hero of virtue, for his education has drained him
of all moral courage; but with care, and the absence of all
strong temptation for a time, he will do very well; nothing to
gratify paternal pride, but certainly nothing to be ashamed of."
It was on the Sunday after this that the little circumstance to
which I have alluded took place.
During the afternoon service, Mr. Benson became aware that the
large Bradshaw pew was no longer unoccupied.
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