Your affectionate son,
ADOLPHUS LONGESTAFFE.
This letter fell upon old Mr. Longestaffe at Caversham like a thunderbolt. It was marvellous to him that his son should have been instigated to write a letter. The Melmottes must be very bad indeed,--worse than he had thought,--or their iniquities would not have brought about such energy as this. But the passage which angered him most was that which told him that he ought to have taken his family back to town. This had come from his son, who had refused to do anything to help him in his difficulties.
Your affectionate son,
Adolphus Longestaffe.
This letter fell upon old Mr. Longestaffe at Caversham like a thunderbolt. It was extraordinary to him that his son should have written a letter. The Melmottes must be very bad indeed for him to expend such energies. But he was angry at being told that he ought to have taken his family back to town. This came from his son, who had refused to help him in his difficulties!