Final answer:
George is unwilling to leave on his big trip after his father dies because of a sense of duty and responsibility towards his father's legacy, as well as potential grieving. The colonel, George's father, had a great respect for him as the heir of a large estate, making the trip suggestion hold more significance.
Step-by-step explanation:
George is unwilling to leave on his big trip after his father dies because he feels a sense of duty and responsibility towards his father's legacy. His father had worked hard to build the family fortune, and as the heir, George feels obligated to continue that legacy. Additionally, George may be grieving the loss of his father and is not yet ready to leave on a trip that symbolizes moving forward without him.
The text does not provide explicit information about George's specific reasons for being unwilling to leave on his trip. However, based on the information given, it can be inferred that George's father's suggestion of taking a trip North may have played a role in George's hesitation to leave. The text mentions that the colonel, George's father, had a considerable respect for George as the heir of a large estate. This suggests that George's father's desire for him to take a trip North may have held significant meaning and importance for George.