And his heart stood still.If--if he did,then,of course,he would know that his mother didn't really want his father back.His mother spoke again,a thought more fashionably.
"No,my Lord,but you see I had refused to give him any more money.
It took him a long time to believe that,but he did at last--and when he did.""I see,you had refused.But you've sent him some since.""My Lord,I wanted him back."
"And you thought that would bring him?"
"I don't know,my Lord,I acted on my father's advice."Something in the Judge's face,in the sound of the papers behind him,in the sudden crossing of his uncle's legs,told Val that she had made just the right answer.'Crafty!'he thought;'by Jove,what humbug it all is!'
The Judge was speaking:
"Just one more question,Mrs.Dartie.Are you still fond of your husband?"Val's hands,slack behind him,became fists.What business had that Judge to make things human suddenly?To make his mother speak out of her heart,and say what,perhaps,she didn't know herself,before all these people!It wasn't decent.His mother answered,rather low:"Yes,my Lord."Val saw the Judge nod.'Wish I could take a cock-shy at your head!'he thought irreverently,as his mother came back to her seat beside him.Witnesses to his father's departure and continued absence followed--one of their own maids even,which struck Val as particularly beastly;there was more talking,all humbug;and then the Judge pronounced the decree for restitution,and they got up to go.Val walked out behind his mother,chin squared,eyelids drooped,doing his level best to despise everybody.His mother's voice in the corridor roused him from an angry trance.
"You behaved beautifully,dear.It was such a comfort to have you.
Your uncle and I are going to lunch."
"All right,"said Val;"I shall have time to go and see that fellow."And,parting from them abruptly,he ran down the stairs and out into the air.He bolted into a hansom,and drove to the Goat's Club.His thoughts were on Holly and what he must do before her brother showed her this thing in to-morrow's paper.