I shall tell Jasper plainly that he's got to work for his own support.' Another silence, and a longer one.

Mrs Milvain furtively wiped a tear from her cheek.
'It seems very cruel to refuse,' she said at length, 'when another year may give him the opportunity he's waiting for.' 'Opportunity?
What does he mean by his opportunity ?' 'He says that it always comes, if a man knows how to wait.' 'And the people who support him may starve meanwhile! Now just think a bit, mother.

Suppose anything were to happen to you, what becomes of Dora and me?
And what becomes of Jasper, too?
It's the truest kindness to him to compel him to earn a living.

He gets more and more incapable of it.' 'You can't say that, Maud.

He earns a little more each year.