The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900 ... - Gredos

The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900)
He changed the subject abruptly, but Simon resumed it when he was alone with Mr.
Fleetwood. As they were walking across the pasture together, after the departure of their
friend, he said diffidently, —
"My dear father, I cannot help feeling that Mr. Rushton is right. I wish you and my
mother could be persuaded to give up the idea of sending me to college."
"What," cried the yeoman, smiling good-naturedly if a little constrainedly, "tired o' the
books already?"
"Nay, sir, I like the books well enough, but I should have preferred to make their
acquaintance in another place."
"Why, I thought you were getting on first rate yonder."
"I have got on tolerably well," returned the lad gravely, "but you see, sir, I am not and
never shall be a gentleman. I come of yeoman stock —I am a true chip of the old block,
as Mr. Rushton says, and I do not think it will ever take polish."
"Aye, aye?" said the yeoman thoughtfully. "I am in my proper place here," pursued
Simon.
[46]
“All that you do I can do, and like doing. I fancy that I could even do many things that
you do not think it necessary to put your own hand to. I can drive a team —I almost
imagine that I could plough a furrow.
"Could you indeed, Simon?" said Mr. Fleetwood, pausing and turning so as to face him.
"Aye, lad, I reckon that kind of thing runs in the blood."
"I breathe freely here," cried his son eagerly. "I feel myself at ease. Do but listen to me,
sir." The father had thrown his arm affectionately round his son's neck, and now tapped
his shoulder lightly.
"You are forgetting one thing, my lad — my promise to your mother."
"I know — I have thought of it — but could you not reason with her — explain to her."
"Nay, nay," returned Mr. Fleetwood gravely and gently. "There's sense enough in what
you say, but I cannot go back on my promise. First, because I have never yet broken my
word to your mother, and, secondly, because I am particularly anxious to spare her all