One cause of this
was his supercilious, or, rather, his contemptuous manner towards his
admirable and affectionate brother. He refused to associate with him
in his sports or diversions; refused him his confidence, and seldom
addressed him, except in that tone of banter which always implies an
offensive impression of inferiority and want of respect towards the
object of it. After breakfast the next morning, his father said to
Charles, when the other members of the family had all left the room,--
"Charley, there is something behind that gloom of Harry's which I don't
like. Indeed, altogether, he has not improved upon me since his return,
and you are aware that I knew nothing of him before. I cannot conceive
his object in returning home just now, and, it seems, with no intention
of going back. His uncle was the kindest of men to him, and intended to
provide for him handsomely. It is not for nothing he would leave such an
uncle, and it is not for nothing that such an uncle would part with him,
unless there was a screw loose somewhere. I don't wish to press him into
an explanation; but he has not offered any, and refuses, of course, to
place any confidence in me.
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