But he had continued to rejoice in his hatred.  While Estelle hoped with Sabina to break down his obstinacy, he actually looked forward to the time when Estelle would hate his enemy also.  He had been sorry to see his mother weakening and even blaming him for his opinions.

But now he was faced with his father under conditions from which there was no escape.  The meeting took place in Mr. Churchouse’s study and Abel was called to listen, whether he would or no.  Raymond knew that the child understood the situation and he did not mince words.  He kept his temper and exhausted his arguments.

“Abel,” he said, “you’ve got to heed me now, and whatever you may feel, you must use your self-control and your brains.  I’m speaking entirely for your sake and I’m only concerned for your future.  If you would use your reason, it would show you that the things you have done and are doing can’t hurt me; they can only hurt yourself; and what is the good of hurting yourself, because you don’t like me?  If you had burned down the works, the insurance offices would have paid me back all the money they were worth, and the only people to suffer would have been the men and women you threw out of work.  So, when you tried to hurt me, you were only hurting other people and yourself.  Boys who do that sort of thing are called embryo criminals, and that’s what they are.  But for me and the great kindness and humanity of other men—­my friends on the magistrates’ bench—­you would have been sent to a reformatory after that affair; but your fellow creatures forgave you and were very good to me also, and let you go free on consideration that I would be responsible for you.  Then I sent you to a good school, where nothing was known against you.  Now you have been expelled from that school, because you won’t work, or go on with your education.  And your reason is that I am paying for your education and you won’t accept anything at my hands.

“But think what precisely this means.  It doesn’t hurt me in the least.  As far as I am concerned, it makes not a shadow of difference.  I have no secrets about things.  Everybody knows the situation, and everybody knows I recognise my obligations where you are concerned and wish to be a good father to you.  Therefore, if you refuse to let me be, nobody is hurt but yourself, because none can take my place.  You don’t injure my credit; you only lose your own.  The past was past, and people had begun to forget what you did two years ago.  Now you’ve reminded them by this folly, and I tell you that you are too old to be so foolish.  There is no reason why you should not lead a dignified, honourable and useful life.  You have far better opportunities than thousands and thousands of boys, and far better and more powerful friends than ninety-nine boys out of a hundred.