"Obtaining any relief, nephew?" he inquired with some interest. "You
must have learned quite a number of those expressions in childhood--
it's so long since I'd heard them I fancied they were obsolete."
"Who wouldn't swear?" George demanded hotly. "In the name of God,
what does grandfather mean, doing such things?"
"My private opinion is," said Amberson gravely, "he desires to
increase his income by building these houses to rent."
"Well, in the name of God, can't he increase his income any other way
but this?"
"In the name of God, it would appear he couldn't."
"It's beastly! It's a damn degradation! It's a crime!"
"I don't know about its being a crime," said his uncle, stepping over
some planks to join him. "It might be a mistake, though. Your mother
said not to tell you until we got home, so as not to spoil
commencement for you. She rather feared you'd be upset."
"Upset! Oh, my Lord, I should think I would be upset! He's in his
second childhood. What did you let him do it for, in the name of--"
"Make it in the name of heaven this time, George; it's Sunday.
Pages:
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237