Newton went up to his father, touched him on the shoulder, and said in a low tone, and nodding his head towards the door—“Come, father.”
Nicholas got upon his legs, retreated a few steps, then turned round—“Brother, didn’t you say something about a letter I was to put in the post?”
“No, I didn’t,” replied John, shortly, not raising his eyes from the brief.
“Well, I really thought I heard something—”
“Come, father; my uncle’s busy.”
“Well, then, good bye, brother.”
“Good bye,” replied John, without looking up; and Newton, with his father, quitted the room.
No conversation passed during the walk to the inn, except an accidental remark of Nicholas, that it appeared to him that his brother was very busy.
When they arrived, Newton hastened to open the enclosure, and found it to be a draft for 500 pounds, which his uncle had ordered to be filled up the day before. Nicholas was lost in astonishment; and Newton, although he had already gained some insight into his uncle’s character, was not a little surprised at his extreme liberality.
“Now,” cried Nicholas, rubbing his hands, “my improvement upon the duplex;” and the subject brought up by himself, again led him away, and he was in deep thought.