"I don't think that is fair, sir," said Norris; "I
lived at college exactly as you told me. I am sorry I
was sent down, and you have a perfect right to blame me
for that; but you have no right to pitch into me about
these debts."
The effect upon a stupid man not unjustly incensed need
scarcely be described. For a while Singleton raved.
"I'll tell you what, father," said Norris at last, "I
don't think this is going to do. I think you had
better let me take to painting. It's the only thing I
take a spark of interest in. I shall never be steady
as long as I'm at anything else."
"When you stand here, sir, to the neck in disgrace,"
said the father, "I should have hoped you would have
had more good taste than to repeat this levity."
The hint was taken; the levity was never more obtruded
on the father's notice, and Norris was inexorably
launched upon a backward voyage. He went abroad to
study foreign languages, which he learned, at a very
expensive rate; and a fresh crop of debts fell soon to
be paid, with similar lamentations, which were in this
case perfectly justified, and to which Norris paid no
regard.
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