[The Virginians by William Makepeace Thackeray]@TWC D-Link bookThe Virginians CHAPTER IV 10/15
No more books were bought. The agent had orders to discontinue sending wine.
Madam Esmond deeply regretted the expense of a fine carriage which she had had from England, and only rode in it to church groaning in spirit, and crying to the sons opposite her, "Harry, Harry! I wish I had put by the money for thee, my poor portionless child--three hundred and eighty guineas of ready money to Messieurs Hatchett!" "You will give me plenty while you live, and George will give me plenty when you die," says Harry, gaily. "Not unless he changes in spirit, my dear," says the lady, with a grim glance at her elder boy.
"Not unless Heaven softens his heart and teaches him charity, for which I pray day and night; as Mountain knows; do you not, Mountain ?" Mrs.Mountain, Ensign Mountain's widow, Madam Esmond's companion and manager, who took the fourth seat in the family coach on these Sundays, said, "Humph! I know you are always disturbing yourself and crying out about this legacy, and I don't see that there is any need." "Oh no! no need!" cries the widow, rustling in her silks; "of course I have no need to be disturbed, because my eldest born is a disobedient son and an unkind brother--because he has an estate, and my poor Harry, bless him, but a mess of pottage." George looked despairingly at his mother until he could see her no more for eyes welled up with tears.
"I wish you would bless me, too, O my mother!" he said, and burst into a passionate fit of weeping.
Harry's arms were in a moment round his brother's neck, and he kissed George a score of times. "Never mind, George.
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