CHAPTER IVMRS. PRESTON
Whenever Godfrey Preston had any difficulty with his father, he alwayswent to his mother, and from her, right or wrong, he was sure toobtain sympathy. So in the present instance, failing to receive fromhis father that moral support to which he deemed himself entitled, onentering the house he sought out his mother.
Mrs. Preston, who was rather a spare lady, with thin lips and a sharp,hatchet-like face, was in her own room. She looked up as Godfreyentered.
"Well, Godfrey, what's the matter?" she asked, seeing on her son'sface an unmistakable expression of discontent.
"Matter enough, mother. Father's always against me."
"I know it. He appears to forget that you are his son. What is itnow?"
"He came up just as I was thrashing a boy down in the yard."
"What boy?"
"Nobody you know, mother. It was only an Irish boy."
"What was your reason for punishing him?" asked Mrs. Preston, adoptingGodfrey's version of the affair.
"He was impudent to me. He was leaning against the fence, and Iordered him away. He was a ragged boy, with a bundle on a stick. Ofcourse, when he wouldn't move, I went out and thrashed him."
"Was your father there?"
"He came up in the midst of it, and, instead of taking my part, hetook the part of the Irish boy."
"I don't see how Mr. Preston can be so unfair," said his wife. "It ishis duty to stand by his family."
"I felt ashamed to have him scold me before the impudent boy. Ofcourse, he enjoyed it, and I suppose he will think he can be impudentto me again."
"No doubt. I will speak to your father about it. He really shouldn'tbe so inconsiderate. But what is that stain on your coat, Godfrey? Ishould think you had been down on your back on the ground."
"Oh," said Godfrey, rather embarrassed, "I happened to slip as I waswrestling with the fellow, and fell on my back. However, I was upagain directly and gave it to him, I can tell you. If father hadn'tstopped me I'd have laid him out," he continued, in a swaggering tone.
It will be seen that Godfrey did not always confine himself to thetruth. Indeed, he found it rather hard at all times to admit eitherthat he had been in the wrong or had been worsted. Even if his mothersometimes suspected that his accounts were a trifle distorted, sheforbore to question their accuracy. Mother and son had a sort of tacitcompact by which they stood by each other, and made common causeagainst Colonel Preston.
"Don't you know the boy? Doesn't he live in the neighborhood?" askedMrs. Preston, after a pause.
"He's just come into the town, but I'll tell you who he is. He's theson of that woman that comes to work for you once a week."
"Mrs. Burke?"
"Yes; he told me that his name was Andy Burke."
"He ought to know his place too well to be impudent to one in yourposition."
"So I think."
"I shall speak to Mrs. Burke about her son's bad behavior."
"I wish you'd discharge her. That's a good way to punish the boy."
"I shouldn't object to doing that, Godfrey, but Mrs. Burke is acapital hand at ironing shirts. Yours and your father's never lookedso nice as they have since she has been here."
Godfrey looked a little discontented. Being essentially mean, hethought it would be an excellent plan to strike the son through themother.
"You might threaten her, mother, a little. Tell her to make her boybehave himself, or you'll discharge her."
"I will certainly speak to her on the subject, Godfrey."
At the table Mrs. Preston introduced the subject of Godfrey's wrongs.
"I am surprised, Mr. Preston, that you took part against Godfrey whenhe was rudely assaulted this morning."
"I thought Godfrey in the wrong, my dear. That was my reason."
"You generally appear to think your own son in the wrong. You areready to take part with any stranger against him," said Mrs. Preston,in a complaining manner.
"I don't think you are quite right just there," said her husband,good-humoredly. "I must say, however, that Godfrey generally is in thewrong."
"You are very unjust to him."
"I don't mean to be. I would be glad to praise him, but he is sooverbearing to those whom he considers his inferiors, that I amfrequently ashamed of his manner of treating others."
"The boy has some reason to feel proud. He must maintain hisposition."
"What is his position?"
"I don't think you need to ask. As our son he is entitled to a degreeof consideration."
"He will receive consideration enough if he deserves it, but this is arepublic, and all are supposed to be on an equality."
Mrs. Preston tossed her head.
"That's well enough to say, but don't you consider yourself above aman that goes round sawing wood for a living?"
"At any rate I would treat him with courtesy. Because I am richer, andhave a better education, it is no reason why I should treat him withcontempt."
"Then I don't share your sentiments," said Mrs. Preston. "I amthankful that I know my position better. I mean to uphold the dignityof the family, and I hope my son will do the same."
Colonel Preston shrugged his shoulders as his wife swept from theroom. He knew of old her sentiments on this subject, and he was awarethat she was not likely to become a convert to his more democraticideas.
"I am afraid she will spoil Godfrey," he thought. "The boy is gettingintolerable. I am glad this Irish boy gave him a lesson. He seems afine-spirited lad. I will help him if I can."
"Ellen," said Mrs. Preston the next morning, "when Mrs. Burke comeslet me know."
"Yes, ma'am."
"She's come," announced Ellen, half an hour later.
Mrs. Preston rose from her seat and went into the laundry.
"Good-morning, Mrs. Preston," said Mrs. Burke.
"Good-morning," returned the other, stiffly. "Mrs. Burke, I hear thatyour son behaved very badly to my Godfrey yesterday."
"It isn't like Andy, ma'am," said the mother, quietly. "He's a good,well-behaved lad."
"Godfrey tells me that he made a brutal assault upon him, quiteforgetting his superior position."
"Are you sure Master Godfrey didn't strike him first?" asked themother.
"Even if he had, your son shouldn't have struck back."
"Why not?" asked Mrs. Burke, her eyes flashing with spirit, meek asshe generally was.
"Because it was improper," said Mrs. Preston, decisively.
"I don't see that, ma'am. Andy isn't the boy to stand still and bestruck."
"Do I understand," said Mrs. Preston, in a freezing tone, "that youuphold your son in his atrocious conduct?"
"Yes, ma'am. I stand up for Andy, for he's a good boy, and if hestruck Master Godfrey it was because he was struck first."
"That is enough," said Mrs. Preston, angrily. "I shall not requireyour services after to-day, Mrs. Burke."
"Just as you like, ma'am," said Mrs. Burke, with quiet pride, but shethought, with a sinking heart, of the gap which this would make in herscanty income.