him mind me; for he's all for having his own way, poor dear soul, and
I'm sure I don't know who could contradict him, for it's what I never
had the heart to do. But then, ma'am, what is to come of it? You see
how bad things go! for though I have got a very good income, it won't
do for every thing. And if it was as much again, I should want to save
it all now. For here my poor son, you see, is reduced all in a minute,
as one may say, from being one of the first gentlemen in the town, to
a mere poor object, without a farthing in the world!"

"He is, however, I hope now much better in his health?" said Cecilia.

"Yes, madam, thank heaven, for if he was worse, those might tell of it
that would, for I'm sure I should never live to hear of it. He has
been the best son in the world, madam, and used [to] nothing but the
best company, for I spared neither pains nor cost to bring him up
genteely, and I believe there's not a nobleman in the land that looks
more the gentleman. However, there's come no good of it, for though
his acquaintances was all among the first quality, he never received
the value of a penny from the best of them. So I have no great need to
be proud. But I meant for the best, though I have often enough wished
I had not meddled in the matter, but left him to be brought up in the
shop, as his father was before him."

"His present plan, however," said Cecilia, "will I hope make you ample
amends both for your sufferings and your tenderness."

"What, madam, when he's going to leave me, and settle in foreign
parts? If you was a mother yourself, madam, you would not think that
such good amends."