"We are in the hands of Him, and do but execute His will. For your
sake, my dear Campbell, for the children's sake, perhaps, I ought to
rejoice--we hardly know. That I am happy here, now that my children
have been restored to me, I confess. I doubt whether that happiness
will be increased by the return to Wexton Hall; at all events, I shall
leave this place with regret. We have had too many revolutions of
fortune, Campbell, since we have been united, not to have learnt by
experience that a peaceful, quiet, and contented home is more necessary
to our happiness than riches."
"I feel as you do, Emily," replied Mr Campbell, "but we are growing
old, and have been taught wisdom practically, by the events of a
chequered life. Our children, I perceive, think otherwise--nor do I
wonder at it."
"I shan't go," said John; "I shall only be sent to school; no master
shall flog me--I'm a man."
"Nor me," cried Percival.
The Colonel and Mr and Mrs Campbell, as well as the elder portion of
the party, could not help smiling at the exclamations of the two boys.
They had both played the part of men, and it was but too evident how
unfitted they would be for future scholastic discipline.
"You shall neither of you go to school," replied Mr Campbell, "but
still you must render yourselves fit for your stations in life, by
improving your minds, and attending to those who will instruct you."
It is hard to say whether much real joy was felt by any of the party at
the prospect of returning to England. It is true that Mary Percival was
delighted at the idea of not being so far away from her aunt and uncle,
and that Emma was better pleased to be in England for reasons which she
kept to herself. But it was not the coming into the large property
which occasioned pleasure to any of them. However, if there was not
much pleasure derived from this re-accession to properly, Mr and Mrs
Campbell knew their duty too well to hesitate, and every preparation was
commenced for their return along with Alfred and Captain Sinclair.
John, however, still continued obstinate in declaring that he would not
go, and Percival was very much of John's opinion, although he did not
speak so plainly.