For his part, he had been brought up in
the country, and could not adapt his manners to suit the delicate taste
of a fine gentleman." Then, muttering something about a travelled
monkey, left the room.
During the first burst of honest indignation. Algernon determined to
follow him, and demand a more satisfactory explanation of his conduct,
but he was deterred by the grief which he knew a quarrel between them
would occasion his mother; and for her sake he put up with the insult.
His wrath, like summer dew, quickly evaporated, and the only effect
which his short-lived passion produced was to increase the urgency with
which he entreated his father to allow him to make choice of a
profession, which would remove him from the vicinity of one whose sole
study was to torment and annoy him.
His father, who wished to make him feel the effects of his extravagance
abroad, calmly listened to his proposals, and asked time for
deliberation, and this interval had to be passed by Algernon at the
Hall. For his mother's sake, whom he fondly loved, he forbore to
complain; and he hailed the approaching shooting season as a relief from
the dulness and monotony of home. Used to the lively conversation of
foreigners, and passionately fond of the society of the other sex, the
seclusion of Oak Hall was not very congenial to his taste.
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