Morgan: "Why on earth didn't you relieve me? Why didn't you answer my
letter?"

Mrs. Moreen declared that when she wrote he was very bad, and Pemberton
learned at the same time from the boy that he had answered every letter
he had received. This led to the clear inference that Pemberton's note
had been kept from him so that the game practised should not be
interfered with. Mrs. Moreen was prepared to see the fact exposed, as
Pemberton saw the moment he faced her that she was prepared for a good
many other things. She was prepared above all to maintain that she had
acted from a sense of duty, that she was enchanted she had got him over,
whatever they might say, and that it was useless of him to pretend he
didn't know in all his bones that his place at such a time was with
Morgan. He had taken the boy away from them and now had no right to
abandon him. He had created for himself the gravest responsibilities and
must at least abide by what he had done.

"Taken him away from you?" Pemberton exclaimed indignantly.

"Do it--do it for pity's sake; that's just what I want. I can't stand
_this_--and such scenes. They're awful frauds--poor dears!" These words
broke from Morgan, who had intermitted his embrace, in a key which made
Pemberton turn quickly to him and see that he had suddenly seated
himself, was breathing in great pain, and was very pale.

"_Now_ do you say he's not in a state, my precious pet?" shouted his
mother, dropping on her knees before him with clasped hands, but touching
him no more than if he had been a gilded idol. "It will pass--it's only
for an instant; but don't say such dreadful things!"