"Shall we be poorer, mother?" No.

"Oh!"

"But naturally things will be very different."

"Yes, naturally."

"For instance, your poor father liked being near London, but I
almost think we might move. Would you like that?"

"Of course, mummy." He looked down at the ground. He was not
accustomed to being consulted, and it bewildered him.

"Perhaps you might like quite a different life better?"

He giggled.

"It's a little difficult for me," said Mrs. Elliot, pacing
vigorously up and down the room, and more and more did her black
dress seem a mockery. "In some ways you ought to be consulted:
nearly all the money is left to you, as you must hear some time
or other. But in other ways you're only a boy. What am I to do?"

"I don't know," he replied, appearing more helpless and unhelpful
than he really was.

"For instance, would you like me to arrange things exactly as I
like?"