“Not a bit of it. She left no address with me, so you must pocket the affront—that’s the best thing you can do.”
“I don’t like to take her money. I would sooner rob than accept anything from her.”
“And why, pray?”
“Because I don’t deserve it, and would rather not have a sixpence of her money.”
“You don’t like to be beholden to her. Is that what you mean?”
“No, it aint that; but I don’t like her to think that what I’ve done was with any idea of getting paid for it. It goes agin the grain for me to receive a single quid from one whom I would serve for the mere pleasure of serving her.”
“Well, you are a stunner, and no mistake!” cried Peace. “I never could have believed you had so much honour in you—not unless I had been witness of it.”
“I’m a queer chap, Charles, and I dare say I’ve queer ways, but I am too old to alter now; but there, let us say no more about the matter. We’ll talk about something else.”
“I think we had better. Perhaps you’ll be a little more reasonable upon other subjects. Are you in the mind to take a bit of a drive with me this evening?”
“In course I am; where to?”