The Unbearable Bassington by Saki
page 128 of 181 (70%)
page 128 of 181 (70%)
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But the sting of disappointment was too keen, and the flood of
resentment mounted too high on either side to allow the chance more than a moment in which to flicker away into nothingness. The old fatal topic of estrangement came to the fore, the question of immediate ways and means, and mother and son faced themselves again as antagonists on a well-disputed field. "What is done is done," said Francesca, with a movement of tragic impatience that belied the philosophy of her words; "there is nothing to be gained by crying over spilt milk. There is the present and the future to be thought about, though. One can't go on indefinitely as a tenant-for-life in a fools' paradise." Then she pulled herself together and proceeded to deliver an ultimatum which the force of circumstances no longer permitted her to hold in reserve. "It's not much use talking to you about money, as I know from long experience, but I can only tell you this, that in the middle of the Season I'm already obliged to be thinking of leaving Town. And you, I'm afraid, will have to be thinking of leaving England at equally short notice. Henry told me the other day that he can get you something out in West Africa. You've had your chance of doing something better for yourself from the financial point of view, and you've thrown it away for the sake of borrowing a little ready money for your luxuries, so now you must take what you can get. The pay won't be very good at first, but living is not dear out there." "West Africa," said Comus, reflectively; "it's a sort of modern substitute for the old-fashioned oubliette, a convenient depository |
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