“Of course I do, sir,” snapped out Sir James.
“Well, sir, my advice is this. Dismiss us now.”
“What for—to conspire against me?”
“No, sir,” said the doctor, rising; “to give you time to calmly and dispassionately weigh this matter over—I even go so far as to say, to sleep on it.”
“No, I can decide now. You don’t want me with you.”
It is a curious fact, but three voices at the same moment gave vent to the same ejaculation, which blended together and formed one big round “O!”
“I should be an encumbrance upon you.”
“You would be a great help and counsel to me, Sir James, and of course take all the responsibility off my shoulders.”
“Humph! Yes. Well, that’s true,” said Sir James. “But you, Dean—now, sir, be honest—I want the simple truth.”
“I always do tell the truth, uncle,” said the boy, rather surlily; “at least, I always try to.”