He was rather a deplorable
thing in rotters, and quite hopelessly top-hole in the way
of getting through money, but he had been more or less
decent to the old lady in her unremembered days, and she
wouldn't hear anything against him. At least, she wouldn't
pay any attention to what she did hear, but her nieces took
care that she should have to listen to a good deal in that
line. It seemed such a pity, they said among themselves,
that good money should fall into such wortless hands. They
habitually spoke of their aunt's money as `good money,' as
though other people's aunts dabbled for the most part in
spurious currency.
``Regularly after the Derby, St. Leger, and other notable
racing events they indulged in audible speculations as to
how much money Roger had squandered in unfortunate betting
transactions.
`` `His travelling expenses must come to a big sum,' said
the eldest Brimley Bomefield one day; `they say he attends
every race-meeting in England, besides others abroad. I
shouldn't wonder if he went all the way to India to see the
race for the Calcutta Sweepstake that one hears so much
about.'
`` `Travel enlarges the mind, my dear Christine,' said her
aunt.
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