the rest of us. But Vassie said if you thought it was the right thing to
do by her you'd do it."

Boase had as little vanity as any man, but it was pleasurably pricked by
this. Also he still reproached himself.

"John-James," he began almost diffidently, "you mustn't talk like that
about bastards--as though it made any difference to me. You know it
isn't because of that I look after Ishmael and treat him differently;
it's because he was left to me as a charge. I want to make a fine thing
of him and for him to make a fine thing of Cloom.... But that includes
his overcoming this barrier between him and his family; it won't be
complete till he and Archelaus can meet in friendship as brothers
should, without a grudge or a fear. All this bad blood needs sweetening."

"I daresay," said John-James, "but meanwhile Ishmael'll be growen up
further and further from his folk."

"But you wouldn't have me not educate him, would you?" urged Boase,
speaking as to a fellow-man; "you say yourself it's too late with
Archelaus. It always was; he hated me from Ishmael's birth."

"That's right enough," agreed John-James; "it's only Vassie you can
help. And helpen her will help your plan too, won't it? For it'll make
one of his own kind in his family. And she's gwain to be 'ansome, she
is."

"You're quite right, John-James, and I'm obliged to you for the
suggestion. I don't think I can supply an education much good to a young
lady, but we'll see what can be done."