"In fact, you have had more than your share, with the consequence that Grace gets less than hers." He knitted his brows as he indicated the house-master's curt letter.

"Then, you have given a stranger an opportunity for writing to me like this." Gerald, knowing his father's humor, saw he was getting on dangerous ground.
"Brown's a dry old prig, sir.

Nothing sporting about him; he's hardly a gentleman." Osborn was seldom logical and now his annoyance was rather concentrated on the master who had written to him with jarring frankness than on the extravagant lad.
"His letter implies it," he agreed and then pulled himself up.

Gerald was clever and no doubt meant to divert his thoughts.

"After all, this doesn't matter," he went on.