"Boys,come and let us talk over the matter."They came at once and joined in the circle;respectfully,yet with entire freedom,they looked towards their father--these,the sons of his youth,to whom he had been from their birth,not only parent and head,but companion,guide,and familiar friend.They honoured him,they trusted him,they loved him;not,perhaps,in the exact way that they loved their mother;for it often seems Nature's own ordinance,that a mother's influence should be strongest over her sons,while the father's is greatest over his daughters.But even a stranger could not glance from each to each of those attentive faces,so different,yet with a curious "family look"running through them all,without seeing in what deep,reverent affection,such as naturally takes the place of childish fondness,these youths held their father.
"Yes,I am afraid,after much serious thought on the matter,and much consultation with your mother here,--that we ought to leave Longfield.""So I think,"said Mistress Maud,from her footstool;which putting forward of her important opinion shook us all from gravity to merriment,that compelled even Mrs.Halifax to join.Then,laying aside her work,and with it the saddened air with which she had bent over it,she drew her chair closer to her husband,slipping her hand in his,and leaning against his shoulder.Upon which Guy,who had at first watched his mother anxiously,doubtful whether or no his father's plan had her approval,and therefore ought to be assented to,--relapsed into satisfied,undivided attention.
"I have again been over Beechwood Hall.You all remember Beechwood?"Yes.It was the "great house"at Enderley,just on the slope of the hill,below Rose Cottage.The beech-wood itself was part of its pleasure ground,and from its gardens honest James Tod,who had them in keeping,had brought many a pocketful of pears for the boys,many a sweet-scented nosegay for Muriel.
"Beechwood has been empty a great many years,father?Would it be a safe investment to buy it?""I think so,Edwin,my practical lad,"answered the father,smiling.
"What say you,children?Would you like living there?"Each one made his or her comment.Guy's countenance brightened at the notion of "lots of shooting and fishing"about Enderley,especially at Luxmore;and Maud counted on the numerous visitors that would come to John Halifax,Esquire,of Beechwood Hall.
"Neither of which excellent reasons happen to be your father's,"said Mrs.Halifax,shortly.But John,often tenderer over youthful frivolities than she,answered:
"I will tell you,boys,what are my reasons.When I was a young man,before your mother and I were married,indeed before I had ever seen her,I had strongly impressed on my mind the wish to gain influence in the world--riches if I could--but at all events,influence.Ithought I could use it well,better than most men;those can best help the poor who understand the poor.And I can;since,you know,when Uncle Phineas found me,I was--""Father,"said Guy,flushing scarlet,"we may as well pass over that fact.We are gentlefolks now.""We always were,my son."
The rebuke,out of its very mildness,cut the youth to the heart.He dropped his eyes,colouring now with a different and a holier shame.
"I know that.Please will you go on,father.""And now,"the father continued,speaking as much out of his own thoughts as aloud to his children--"now,twenty-five years of labour have won for me the position I desired.That is,I might have it for the claiming.I might take my place among the men who have lately risen from the people,to guide and help the people--the Cannings,Huskissons,Peels.""Would you enter parliament?Sir Herbert asked me to-day if you ever intended it.He said there was nothing you might not attain to if you would give yourself up entirely to politics.""No,Guy,no.Wisdom,like charity,begins at home.Let me learn to rule in my own valley,among my own people,before I attempt to guide the state.And that brings me back again to the pros and cons about Beechwood Hall.""Tell them,John;tell all out plainly to the children."The reasons were--first,the advantage of the boys themselves;for John Halifax was not one of those philanthropists who would benefit all the world except their own household and their own kin.He wished--since the higher a man rises,the wider and nobler grows his sphere of usefulness--not only to lift himself,but his sons after him;lift them high enough to help on the ever-advancing tide of human improvement,among their own people first,and thence extending outward in the world whithersoever their talents or circumstances might call them.