Seeds - “The Miser’s Children”
Sheppard Lee concedes, “But I showered it in vain; the seeds of evil example and neglect had taken root; the prospect of wealth had long since turned brains untempered by education and moral culture, and the parsimony of their parent only drove them into profligacy of a more demoralizing species; they were ruined in morals, in prospects, and in reputation; and while yet upon the threshold of manhood, they presented upon their brows the stamp of degradation and the warrant of untimely graves.” The seeds are emblematic of the repercussions of Sheppard Lee’s neglect of the children and the erroneous benchmarks which he set for the children. Showering the children with affection would not crop moral fruits the seeds had taken root. Lee’s deployment of affection is ill-timed for it cannot reverse the ramifications of his abandonment.
“Heathen Greek” - “The Fate of the Firstborn”
Sheppard Lee writes, “I met one of my companions of the club, who, noting my disturbed countenance, drew me aside, and told me he was sorry I had got my foot into the fire; but the club had last night taken the matter into consideration, and agreed to stand by me, if it were possible.All this was heathen Greek to me; and I told my friend I was in no trouble I knew of, and wanted no countenance from anybody.” The metaphoric ‘heathen Greek’ infers that Sheppard Lee is not cognizant of the notes in circulation which the companion is discussing. Sheppard Lee is oblivious of the falsifications which Ralph has been engaging in including forgery of notes which the club members consider to be signals of Sheppard Lee’s financial misery.
