. . . To be frank, sir, years ago, in the wild
exuberance of youth, the son of this gentleman left his--er--er--
er--boyhood's home, owing to an innocent but natural misunderstanding
with the legal protector of his youth--
Morton (interrupting gravely and demurely). Driven from home by my
own sinful and then unregenerate hand--
Starbottle (quickly). One moment, a simple moment. We will not
weary you with--er--er--history, or the vagaries of youth. He--er--
came to California in '49. A year ago, touched by--er--er--
parental emotion and solicitude, my friend resolved to seek him
here. Believing that the--er--er--lawlessness of--er--er--
untrammelled youth and boyish inexperience might have led him into
some trifling indiscretion, we have sought him successively in
hospitals, alms-houses, reformatories, State's prisons, lunatic and
inebriate asylums, and--er--er--even on the monumental inscriptions
of the--er--er--country churchyards. We have thus far, I grieve to
say, although acquiring much and valuable information of a varied
character and interest, as far as the direct matter of our search,--
we have been, I think I may say, unsuccessful. Our search has
been attended with the--er--disbursement of some capital under my--
er--er--direction, which, though large, represents quite inadequately
the--er--er--earnestness of our endeavors.
Enter MANUELA.
Manuela (to DON JOSE). The Dona Jovita is waiting to receive you.
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