That's the dead hand, if you like; why father put that
provision in his will it passes common sense to understand. No, you'll
have to stay and earn part of it, though in truth you'll never be worth
your keep."
"That depends on the keeper," retorted Desmond, rather warmly.
"No insolence, now. I repeat, I will not advance one penny! Go and get
some money out of the squire, that is so precious fond of you."
"Richard, Richard!" said his mother anxiously.
"Mother, I'm the boy's guardian. I know what it is. He has been crammed
with nonsense by that idle knave at the Four Alls. Look'ee, my man, if I
catch you speaking to him again, I'll flay your skin for you."
"Why shouldn't I?" replied Desmond. "I saw you speaking to him."
"Hold your tongue, sir. The dog accosted me. I answered his question and
passed on. Heed what I say: I'm a man of my word."
Desmond said no more. But before he fell asleep that night he had
advanced one step further towards freedom. His request had met with the
refusal he had anticipated. He could hope for no pecuniary assistance; it
remained to take the first opportunity of consulting Diggle. It was
Diggle who had suggested India as the field for his ambition; and the
suggestion would hardly have been made if there were great obstacles in
the way of its being acted on. Desmond made light of his brother's
command that he should cut Diggle's acquaintance; it seemed to him only
another act of tyranny, and his relations with Richard were such that to
forbid a thing was to provoke him to do it.
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