restless. He was always finding business in distant quarters
of England. He must go visit Tom Barker who was settled in Devonshire,
or Harry Johnson who had retired and was living in Wales. He surprised
Mrs. Honeyman by the frequency of his visits to Brighton, and always
came away much improved in health by the sea air, and by constant riding
with the harriers there. He appeared at Bath and at Cheltenham, where,
as we know, there are many old Indians. Mr. Binnie was not indisposed
to accompany him on some of these jaunts--"provided," the civilian said,
"you don't take young Hopeful, who is much better without us; and let us
two old fogies enjoy ourselves together."

Clive was not sorry to be left alone. The father knew that only too
well. The young man had occupations, ideas, associates, in whom the
elder could take no interest. Sitting below in his blank, cheerless
bedroom, Newcome could hear the lad and his friends talking, singing,
and making merry overhead. Something would be said in Clive's well-known
tones, and a roar of laughter would proceed from the youthful company.
They had all sorts of tricks, bywords, waggeries, of which the father
could not understand the jest nor the secret. He longed to share in it,
but the party would be hushed if he went in to join it--and he would
come away sad at heart, to think that his presence should be a signal
for silence among them; and that his son could not be merry in his
company.

We must not quarrel with Clive and Clive's friends, because they could
not joke and be free in the presence of the worthy gentleman. If they
hushed when he came in, Thomas Newcome's sad face would seem to look
round--appealing to one after another of them, and asking, "Why don't
you go on laughing?" A company of old comrades shall be merry and
laughing together, and the entrance of a single youngster will stop
the conversation--and if men of middle age feel this restraint with our
juniors, the young ones surely have a right to be silent before their
elders. The boys are always mum under the eyes of the usher. There is
scarce any parent, however friendly or tender with his children, but
must feel sometimes that they have thoughts which are not his or hers;
and wishes and secrets quite beyond the parental control: and, as people
are vain, long after they are fathers, ay; or grandfathers, and not
seldom fancy that mere personal desire of domination is overweening
anxiety and love for their family, n