Page:Gissing - The Nether World, vol. II, 1889.djvu/196

 made known to Sidney Kirkwood. With Jane he had spoken a few hours ago, revealing to her the power that was in his hands, the solemn significance he attached to it, the responsibility with which her future was to be invested. To make the same things known to Joseph was a task of more difficulty. He could not here count on sympathetic intelligence; it was but too certain that his son would listen with disappointment, if not with bitterness. In order to mitigate the worst results, he began by making known the fact of his wealth and asking if Joseph had any practical views which could be furthered by a moderate sum put at his disposal.

“At my death,” he added, “you’ll find that I haven’t dealt unkindly by you. But you’re a man of middle age, and I should like to see you in some fixed way of life before I go.”

Having heard all, Joseph promised to think over the proposal which concerned himself It was in a strange state of mind that he returned to the Close; one thing only he was clear upon, that to Clem and her mother he