I would help him, to endure every
hardship, even deprivation, without a murmur."
"But, mother," interrupted Allis, "it's impossible now; I think it
always was, for, as you know, father knew nothing of other business.
Nothing would tempt him to be dishonest in racing, and he always enjoyed
it because of his love for horses. But with all that, mother, if he had
been in a position to please you, if he had felt that we--you, and Alan,
and I--would not have suffered, I am sure he would have listened to your
pleadings and given it up. He might perhaps have gone on breeding
horses, for you wouldn't have objected to that, would you, mother?"
"No, it's the wicked associations of the race course which I felt
degraded a man of your father's character. But I'm not going to
dishearten you, Allis, nor hamper you now in your brave acceptance of
the task that has come to you, because of wrong done before. It is
distasteful to me, of course; it would be to any right-minded mother, to
have her daughter in a position so repellant; but, strange as it may
seem I'd rather you went with the horses than Alan."
"Alan couldn't go, mother; he couldn't give up his place in the bank;
besides, father has purposely kept him from racing.
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