“Hallo!” cried Dick angrily, as he entered, followed by Max, “you are all here, are you! Why didn’t you bring the wife and the servants, and take possession? It’s all right—there’s plenty of room. Here, you sir, get off that sofa!” The young men rose as he entered—Fred very slowly, and evidently amused; while Tom’s face flushed with rage.
“Oh, father!” cried Jessie, whose face had become suffused from shame and annoyance.
“There, I know what I’m doing,” he said. “Hold your tongue. You and your mother had better be off. You’ll stop? Well, then, stay.”
“Is your husband subject to a little—er—er—? You know, Mrs Richard,” said Max, tapping his forehead.
“No,” said Dick sharply, “he isn’t. And now, may I ask, young fellows, how it is you condescend to be here? If it’s to order boots and chuck ’em on my hands for misfits, you’ve not come to the right shop.”
“They came unknown to me,” said Max hotly.
“I dessay they did,” cried Dick; “but whether they did or not, they’ve come to the wrong place, and, once for all, I forbid them my house.”
“Come, father,” said Tom sternly; while Fred took a step to Jessie’s side, and whispered—
“Dear Jessie, for heaven’s sake let this make no difference to us.”
She turned her eyes upon him for a moment, and Tom saw the glance; and then, as she gazed at him, directed a look upon her of withering contempt, beneath which she shivered.