After that they walked on in silence; but Jeremiah's thoughts, fashioned into words, may be thus construed: "When you are gone! You think I will wait till then, do you? You old fool! you're not in it with me!"
For a few moments after Miser Farebrother left the Lethbridges they gazed at each other in silence. Then said Fanny:
"Would you like to know what I think of Uncle—no—Miser Farebrother? Well, I think he's a brute!"
"Hush, hush, Fanny!" said Mrs. Lethbridge. "For Phœbe's sake!"
CHAPTER IV.
A SACRED PROMISE—WON BY GUILE.
Upon the happy musings of the lovers came a harsh interruption. They turned and saw Miser Farebrother and Jeremiah.
"I have been looking for you, Phœbe," said the miser; "and so has Jeremiah."
"Your flowers, miss," said Jeremiah, offering them.