'Certainly; I should think it very good for him. Indeed, his
grandfather's death has happened at a most favourable time for him.
The poor old man had such a dread of his going wrong that he kept
him--'

'I know--as tight as a drum.'

'With strictness that I should think very bad for a boy of his
impatient temper. It would have been a very dangerous experiment to
send him at once among the temptations of Oxford, after such discipline
and solitude as he has been used to.'

'Don't talk of it,' interrupted Mr. Edmonstone, spreading out his hands
in a deprecating manner. 'We must do the best we can with him, for I
have got him on my hands till he is five-and-twenty--his grandfather
has tied him up till then. If we can keep him out of mischief, well
and good; if not, it can't be helped.'

'You have him all to yourself,' said Charles.

'Ay, to my sorrow. If your poor father was alive, Philip, I should be
free of all care. I've a pretty deal on my hands,' he proceeded,
looking more important than troubled. 'All that great Redclyffe estate
is no sinecure, to say nothing of the youth himself. If all the world
will come to me, I can't help it. I must go and speak to the men, if I
am to be off to Redclyffe tomorrow. Will you come, Philip?'

'I must go back soon, thank you,' replied Philip. 'I must see about my
leave; only we should first settle when to set off.'