Miser's Money (Paperback)

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER III THE HOME OF JAMES The distinctive feature of Mrs. Mary Worth's parlour was a clock upon the mantelshelf. It had been presented to her late husband as a mark of respect and regard, when he retired from a subordinate position in the employ of the Duchy. For Duchy was the overlord of Princetown and the Forest of Dartmoor, and it employed many men in various capacities. This piece of ornate gilt kept good time and chimed loudly, so that Mary said she was reminded of her husband every half hour. The little parlour was furnished with six chairs, two armchairs and a sofa upholstered in red. Upon the walls hung photographs of the family and an engraving of his late Majesty, King Edward VII., when Prince of Wales. Now a party of men and women filled the room and took tea together. Mary Worth preserved the general characteristics of the Mortimers; she had been a personable woman and was attractive still. Her younger son, Barry, was handsome, with dark complexion, crisp, curly hair and clean-cut features. His expression was intelligent and not without humour, and his eyes were dark grey, bright and rather sly. He shaved clean and exhibited a virile, masculine personality ? an abrupt contrast to the gentler and rather washed-out vision of his elder brother. Some years separated them; but Barry had far quicker wits and more fighting power. He felt implicit contempt for James, yet loved him and was well pleased at his present good fortune. The younger brother preserved a cheerful, apprehensive and receptive attitude to life. He had not yet found himself, but was experimenting. Everything interested him. He kept his owncouncil and had secrets. They were harmless, but he liked to have them. He was not as yet industrious, and the fact appeared in certain news he presently b...