`Be quiet, Maggie,' he said, authoritatively, pushing her aside.It was a remarkable manifestation of self-command and practical judgment in a lad of fifteen that when his aunt Glegg ceased he began to speak in a quiet and respectful manner, though with a good deal of trembling in his voice, for his mother's words had cut him to the quick.
`Then aunt,' he said, looking straight at Mrs Glegg, `if you think it's a disgrace to the family that we should be sold up, wouldn't it be better to prevent it altogether? And if you and my aunt Pullet,' he continued, looking at the latter, `think of leaving any money to me and Maggie, wouldn't it be better to give it now, and pay the debt we're going to be sold up for, and save my mother from parting with her furniture?'
There was silence for a few moments, for every one, including Maggie, was astonished at Tom's sudden manliness of tone.Uncle Glegg was the first to speak.
`Ay, ay, young man - come now! You show some notion o'things.But there's the interest, you must remember - your aunts get five per cent on their money, and they'd lose that, if they advanced it - you haven't thought o' that.'
`I could work and pay that every year,' said Tom, promptly.`I'd do anything to save my mother from parting with her things.'
`Well done!' said uncle Glegg, admiringly.He had been drawing Tom out, rather than reflecting on the practicability of his proposal.But he had produced the unfortunate result of irritating his wife.
`Yes, Mr Glegg!' said that lady, with angry sarca**.`It's pleasant work for you to be giving my money away, as you've pretended to leave at my own disposial.And my money as was my own father's gift, and not yours, Mr Glegg, and I've saved it and added to it myself and had more to put out welly every year, and it's to go and be sunk in other folks's furniture, and encourage 'em in luxury and extravagance as they've no means of supporting, and I'm to alter my will or have a codicil made, and leave two or three hundred less behind me when I die - me as have allays done right and been careful, and the eldest o' the family, and my money's to go and be squandered on them as have had the same chance as me, only they've been wicked and wasteful.Sister Pullet, you may do as you like, and you may let your husband rob you back again o' the money he's given you, but that isn't my sperrit.'
`La, Jane, how fiery you are!' said Mrs Pullet.`I'm sure you'll have the blood in your head, and have to be cupped.I'm sorry for Bessy and her children - I'm sure I think of 'em o' nights dreadful, for I sleep very bad wi' this new medicine - but it's no use for me to think o' doing anything, if you won't meet me half way.'
`Why, there's this to be considered,' said Mr Glegg.`It's no use to pay off this debt and save the furniture, when there's all the law debts behind, as 'ud take every shilling and more than could be made out o' land and stock, for I've made that out from Lawyer Gore.We'd need save our money to keep the poor man with, instead o' spending it on furniture as he can neither eat nor drink.You will be so hasty, Jane - as if I didn't know what was reasonable.'
`Then...speak accordingly...Mr Glegg!' said his wife, with slow, loud emphasis, bending her head towards him significantly.
Tom's countenance had fallen during this conversation, and his lip quivered;but he was determined not to give way.He would behave like a man.Maggie, on the contrary, after her momentary delight in Tom's speech, had relapsed into her state of trembling indignation.Her mother had been standing close by Tom's side and had been clinging to his arm ever since he had last spoken:
Maggie suddenly started up and stood in front of them, her eyes flashing like the eyes of a young lioness.
`Why do you come, then,' she burst out, `talking, and interfering with us and scolding us, if you don't mean to do anything to help my poor mother - your own sister - if you've no feeling for her when she's in trouble, and won't part with anything, though you would never miss it, to save her from pain.Keep away from us then, and don't come to find fault with my father - he was better than any of you - he was kind - he would have helped you , if you had been in trouble.Tom and I don't ever want to have any of your money, if you won't help my mother.We'd rather not have it!
we'll do without you.'
Maggie, having hurled her defiance at aunts and uncles in this way, stood still, with her large dark eyes glaring at them, as if she were ready to await all consequences.
Mrs Tulliver was frightened: there was something portentous in this mad outbreak: she did not see how life could go on after it.Tom was vexed;it was no use to talk so.The aunts were silent with surprise for some moments.At length, in a case of aberration such as this, comment presented itself as more expedient than any answer.
`You haven't seen the end o' your trouble wi' that child, Bessy,' said Mrs Pullet; `she's beyond everything for boldness and unthankfulness.It's dreadful.I might ha' let alone paying for her schooling, for she's worse nor ever.'
`It's no more than what I've allays said,' followed Mrs Glegg.`Other folks may be surprised, but I'm not.I've said over and over again - years ago I've said - "Mark my words; that child 'ull come to no good: there isn't a bit of our family in her." And as for her having so much schooling, I never thought well o' that.I'd my reasons when I said I wouldn't pay anything towards it.'
`Come, come,' said Mr Glegg, `let's waste no more time in talking -let's go to business.Tom now, get the pen and ink...'
While Mr Glegg was speaking, a tall dark figure was seen hurrying past the window.
`Why, there's Mrs Moss,' said Mrs Tulliver.`The bad news must ha' reached her, then.' And she went out to open the door, Maggie eagerly following her.
`That's fortunate,' said Mrs Glegg.`She can agree to the list o' things to be bought in.It's but right she should do her share when it's her own brother.'