Walter followed him through the baize door and down the stone passage. He was not so handsome as Dick nor so smart-looking as Humphrey, but he was tall and well set up, with an air of energy and good-humour that was attractive. "It's jolly to be here for a bit again," he said. "I've been working like a nigger. We've got a regular plague of influenza at Melbury Park."
The Squire grunted. He was pleased enough to see his son, but he always shied at the words Melbury Park, and rather disliked mention of Walter's profession, which had been none of his choosing.
"Well, I suppose you've heard of this wretched business of Dick's," he said, as he lighted a big cigar.
Walter filled his pipe, standing by the fire. "Yes. I've seen him," he said.
The Squire held the match in his hand as he exclaimed, "You've seen him, eh?"
"Yes, he spent Christmas with us," said Walter.
The Squire threw the match, which had begun to burn his fingers, into the grate. "Why on earth didn't you let me know?" he asked.
"He didn't want me to," replied Walter, taking his seat in one of the shabby easy-chairs.
The Squire thought this over. It affected him disagreeably, making him feel very far from his son. "Was he all right?" he asked.
"Of course, he was worried," said Walter. "He was all right otherwise."
"Well, now, don't you think he's behaving in a most monstrous way?" asked the Squire, anxious to substitute a mood of righteous anger for one of painful longing.
"Well, I can't say I do," replied Walter.
"Oh, he's talked you over. But I'll tell you this, Walter, he shall _not_ marry this woman, and drag us all in the mud. You ought to be doing what you can to stop it, too, instead of encouraging him."
"I'm not encouraging him," said Walter. "It wouldn't make any difference whether I encouraged him or discouraged him, either. He has made up his mind to marry her and he's going to do it."
"I tell you he is _not_ going to do it." The Squire hitched himself forward out of the depths of his chair to give more weight to his pronouncement.
Walter remained silent, with a mental shrug, and the Squire was rather at a loss to know how to proceed. "Do you know what this woman is like?" he asked.
"I've seen her photograph and heard what Dick has to say about her," said Walter.