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 worthless 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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