"It
is all fun."
This was enough to calm the short-lived passion of the Colonel. One
glance into that sparkling animated face, and all the faults of the boy
were forgotten. He was, however, severely mortified by his impertinent
remarks, and he determined to be more strict with him for the future,
and broke his resolution the next minute.
Algernon Hurdlestone's life had been spent in making and breaking good
resolutions. No wonder that he felt such a difficulty in keeping this.
If we would remedy a fault, the reformation must be commenced on the
instant. We must not give ourselves time to think over the matter, for
if we do, nine chances out of ten, that we never carry our intentions
into practice. Algernon often drank to excess, and too often suffered
his young son to be a spectator of his criminal weakness. Godfrey was
his constant companion both in hunting-parties and at the table; and the
boy greatly enjoyed the coarse jokes and vulgar hilarity of the
roystering uproarious country squires, who, to please the rich father,
never failed to praise the witticisms of the son.
Thus the disposition of the child was corrupted, his tastes vitiated,
his feelings blunted, and the fine affections of the heart destroyed at
the age of ten years.
Algernon was so fond of him, so vain of his fine person and quick parts,
that it blinded him to his many faults.
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