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Chapter 28
“Fortragedyimpliessomeponderablematterindispute,somedignusvindicenodus;andthispieceofworkwasallaboutthepetulanceofayoungassthathadbeenspoiled,andwantednothingsomuchastobetiedupandsoundlybelted.However,thatwasnotyourfather’sview;andtheendofitwas,thatfromconcessiontoconcessiononyourfather’spart,andfromoneheighttoanotherofsqualling,sentimentalselfishnessuponyouruncle’s,theycameatlasttodriveasortofbargain,fromwhoseillresultsyouhaverecentlybeensmarting.Theonemantookthelady,theothertheestate.Now,Mr.David,theytalkagreatdealofcharityandgenerosity;butinthisdisputablestateoflife,Ioftenthinkthehappiestconsequencesseemtoflowwhenagentlemanconsultshislawyer,andtakesallthelawallowshim.Anyhow,thispieceofQuixotryonyourfather’spart,asitwasunjustinitself,hasbroughtforthamonstrousfamilyofinjustices.Yourfatherandmotherlivedanddiedpoorfolk;youwerepoorlyreared;andinthemeanwhile,whatatimeithasbeenforthetenantsontheestateofShaws!AndImightadd(ifitwasamatterIcaredmuchabout)whatatimeforMr.Ebenezer!”
“Andyetthatiscertainlythestrangestpartofall,”saidI,“thataman’snatureshouldthuschange.”
“True,”saidMr.Rankeillor.“AndyetIimagineitwasnaturalenough.Hecouldnotthinkthathehadplayedahandsomepart.
