It ran as
follows:--
"My dear Ernest, My object in writing is not to upbraid you with the
disgrace and shame you have inflicted upon your mother and myself, to
say nothing of your brother Joey, and your sister. Suffer of course
we must, but we know to whom to look in our affliction, and are filled
with anxiety rather on your behalf than our own. Your mother is
wonderful. She is pretty well in health, and desires me to send you
her love.
"Have you considered your prospects on leaving prison? I understand
from Mr Overton that you have lost the legacy which your grandfather
left you, together with all the interest that accrued during your
minority, in the course of speculation upon the Stock Exchange! If
you have indeed been guilty of such appalling folly it is difficult to
see what you can turn your hand to, and I suppose you will try to find
a clerkship in an office. Your salary will doubtless be low at first,
but you have made your bed and must not complain if you have to lie
upon it. If you take pains to please your employers they will not be
backward in promoting you.
"When I first heard from Mr Overton of the unspeakable calamity which
had befallen your mother and myself, I had resolved not to see you
again.
Pages:
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502