What
they talked of is still a mystery to those who knew them; but Mr.
Austin always declared that on these occasions he learned much. To
both of these families of elders, due service was paid of
attention; to both, Fleeming's easy circumstances had brought joy;
and the eyes of all were on the grandchildren. In Fleeming's
scheme of duties, those of the family stood first; a man was first
of all a child, nor did he cease to be so, but only took on added
obligations, when he became in turn a father. The care of his
parents was always a first thought with him, and their
gratification his delight. And the care of his sons, as it was
always a grave subject of study with him, and an affair never
neglected, so it brought him a thousand satisfactions. 'Hard work
they are,' as he once wrote, 'but what fit work!' And again: 'O,
it's a cold house where a dog is the only representative of a
child!' Not that dogs were despised; we shall drop across the name
of Jack, the harum-scarum Irish terrier ere we have done; his own
dog Plato went up with him daily to his lectures, and still (like
other friends) feels the loss and looks visibly for the
reappearance of his master; and Martin, the cat, Fleeming has
himself immortalised, to the delight of Mr.
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