“Very right and proper of him.  It is the only thing he can do.  I suppose it would be the making of one of you.  Ah!” as she glanced over the letter.  “He gives the preference to you.”

“He was bound to do that, but I think he would prefer the Monk.  I wonder whether you care very much about my accepting the offer.”

“Would this house be too far off?”

“I don’t know his plans enough to tell.  That was not what I was thinking of, but of what it would save her.  Essie said she was not looking well; and no doubt waiting is telling on her, just as her mother always feared it would.”

“John has just not had the forbearance you have shown!”

“That is all circumstance.  There was the saving her life, and afterwards the being on the spot when she was tormented about the other affair.  He has no notion of having cut me out, and I trust he never will.”

“No, I do him that justice.”

“Then he has the advantage of me every way, out and out in looks and University training; and it was to him that Ruthven first took a fancy.”

“You surpassed him in your essay, and in—.

“Oh, yes, yes,” interrupted Jock hastily, “but you see work was my refuge.  I had nothing to call me off.  Besides, I have my share of your brains, instead of her Serenity’s; but that’s all the more reason, if you would listen to me.  Depend upon it, Ruthven, if he knew all, would much prefer the connection John would have, and she would bring means to set up directly.”

“I suppose you will have it so,” replied she, looking up to him affectionately.

“I should like it,” he said.  “It is the one thing for them, and waiting might do her infinite harm; the dear old Monk deserves it every way.  Remember how it all turned on his desperate race.  If your comfort depended on my taking it, that would come first.”

“Oh, no.”

“But there is sure to turn up plenty of other work without leaving you,” he continued.  “I don’t fancy getting involved in West-end practice among swells, and not being independent.  I had rather see whether I can’t work out this principle further, devoting myself to reading up for it, and getting more hospital experience to go upon.”

“I dare say that is quite right.  I know it is like your father, and indeed I shall be quite content however you decide.  Only might it not be well to see how it strikes John, before you absolutely make it over to him?”

“You are trying to be prudent against the grain, Mother Carey.”

“Trying to see it like your uncle.  Yes, exactly as if I were trying to forestall his calling me his good little sister.”

“I don’t know what he would call me,” said Jock, “for at the bottom is a feeling that, after reading my father’s words, I had rather not, if I can help it, begin immediately to make all that material advantage out of ‘Magnum Bonum’ as you call it.”