"She soon will," said George.
"She doesn't know it's five hundred," said the unhappy man; "she thinks it's fifty."
"Don't worry," said George; "I'll tell her everything."
"She thinks," he mumbled with a foolish laugh, "that Old Joe left me fifty pounds a year to improve my education, because I'm so studious!"
George laughed now. "I wonder what she'll say," he cried, "when I tell her the truth!"
Busby seized his wrist with dramatic savagery. "She must never know!" he hissed.
"Let go my wrist, you silly fool!" cried George; "you're pinching me. And don't breathe in my ear."
"She must never know," repeated Busby, folding his arms; "it would break up the home, and part us for ever. She couldn't bear to think I'd deceived her, and I dare say she'd waste away and break her heart. I should, too; and you'd be responsible for two deaths. Promise me, Early, that you'll keep your mouth shut, at least for to-night."
George covered his eyes with one hand and endeavoured to brace himself up for the effort.
"I'll try," he said nobly; "but I may break down in the morning; I can't be sure of myself."