“Did they bend you, or did you just come yourself, Uncle?” asked Jeremy.
“I happened to be taking the air in that direction,” said Uncle Samuel.
“I hope you didn't come away before you wanted to,” said Jeremy politely.
“It's more than likely he may be. The Town Crier's expensive.”
“I didn't think they'd know,” explained Jeremy. “I meant to get back in time.”
“Your father didn't go to church,” said Uncle Samuel. “So your sins were quickly discovered.”
Just as they were climbing Orange Street he said:
“Uncle Samuel, I think I'll be a horse-trainer.”
“Oh, will you?... Well, before you train horses you've got to train yourself. Think of others beside yourself. A fine state you've put your mother into to-night.”
Jeremy looked distressed. “She'd know if I was dead, someone would come and tell her,” he said. “But I'll tell Mother I'm sorry... But I won't tell Father,” he added.
“Because he'll make such a fuss. And I'm not sorry. He never told me not to.”
“I'm very good at obeying,” explained Jeremy, “if someone says something; but if someone doesn't, there isn't anyone to obey.”
Uncle Samuel shook his head. “You'll be a bit of a prig, my son, if you aren't careful,” he said.
“I think it will be splendid to be a horse-trainer,” said Jeremy. “It was a lovely horse to-night... And I only spent a shilling. I had three and threepence halfpenny.”
At the door of their house Uncle Samuel stopped and said:
“Look here, young man, they say it's time you went to school, and I don't think they're far wrong. There are things wiser heads than yours can understand, and you'd better take their word for it. In the future, if you want to go running off somewhere, you'd better content yourself with my studio and make a mess there.”
That studio had been always a forbidden place to them, and had, therefore, its air of enchanting mystery.
“Won't you really mind my coming?” he asked.
“I shall probably hate it,” answered his uncle; “but there's nothing I wouldn't do for the family.”
The boy walked to his father's study and knocked on the door. He did have then, at the sound of that knock, a moment of panic. The house was so silent, and he knew so well what would follow the opening of the door. And the worst of it was that he was not sorry in the least. He seemed to be indifferent and superior, as though no punishment could touch him.