“Well, plain speaking is best when the mind is made up,” was the reply.
“Is this from Susanna, as well as you?” said George, with a trembling lip, and scarce able to utter the words.
“Susan is an obedient daughter. What I say she'll stand to; and I hope you know better than to tempt her to disobey me; you wouldn't succeed.”
“Enough said,” answered George very sternly. “Enough said, old man; I've no need to tempt any girl.”
“Good morning, George!” and away stumped Merton.
“Good morning, uncle! (ungrateful old thief).”
“William,” cried he, to his brother, who came the next minute to hear the news, “our mother took him out of the dirt.—I have heard her say as much—or he'd not have a ship-fold to brag of. Oh! my heart—oh! Will!—”
“Well, will he lend the money?”
“I never asked him.”
“You never asked him!” cried William.