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516 THE ADVENTURES OF PHILIP
Philip says his wife has brought him a fortune of £35, paid in
three instalments. There was the first quarter paid when the old
lady "would not be beholden to a man like him." Then there
came a second quarter—and then ________ but I daresay I shall be able
to tell when and how Philip's mamina-in-law paid the rest of her
poor little daughter's fortune.
Well, Regent's Park is a fine healthy place for infantine diversion,
and I don't think Philip at all demeaned himself in walking
there with his wife, her little maid, and his baby on his arm.
"He is as rude as a bear, and his manners are dreadful ; but he
has a good heart, that I will say for him," Mugford said to me.
In his drive from London to Hampstead Mugford once or twice
met the little family group, of which his sub-editor formed the
principal figure ; and for the sake of Philip's young wife and child
Mr. M. pardoned the young man's vulgarity, and treated him with
long-suffering.
Poor as he was, this was his happiest time, my friend is disposed
to think. A young child, a young wife, whose whole life was a
tender caress of love for child and husband, a young husband
watching both :—I recall the group, as we used often to see it in
those days, and see a something sacred in the homely figures. On
the wife's bright face what a radiant happiness there is, and what a
rapturous smile ! Over the sleeping infant and the happy mother
the father looks with pride and thanks in his eyes. Happiness and
gratitude fill his simple heart, and prayer involuntary to the Giver
of good, that he may have strength to do his duty as father, husband ;
that he may be enabled to keep want and care from those dear
innocent beings; that he may defend them, befriend them, leave
them a good name. I am bound to say that Philip became thrifty
and saving for the sake of Char and the child ; that he came home
early of nights ; that he thought his child a wonder ; that he never
tired of speaking about that infant in our house, about its fatness,
its strength, its weight, its wonderful early talents and humour
He felt himself a man now for the first time, he said. Life had
been play and folly until now. And now especially he regretted
that he had been idle, and had neglected his opportunities as a lad.
Had he studied for the bar, he might have made that profession now
profitable, and a source of honour and competence to his family.
Our friend estimated his own powers very humbly ; I am sure he
was not the less amiable on account of that humility. 0 fortunate
he, of whom Love is the teacher, the guide and master, the reformer
and chastener ! Where was our friend's former arrogance, selfconfidence,
and boisterous profusion? He was at the feet of his
wife and child. He was quite humbled about himself; or gratified