The declaration of independence so nobly delivered by his brother 'Arry necessitated Richard's stay in town over the following day.

The matter was laid before a family council, held after breakfast in the dining-room.

Richard opened the discussion with some vehemence, and appealed to his mother and Alice for support.

Alice responded heartily; Mrs.Mutimer was slower in coming to utterance, but at length expressed herself in no doubtful terms.
'If he don't go to his work,' she said sternly, 'it's either him or me'll have to leave this house.

If he wants to disgrace us all and ruin himself, he shan't do it under my eyes.' Was there ever a harder case?
A high-spirited British youth asserts his intention of living a life of elegant leisure, and is forthwith scouted as a disgrace to the family.