“Oh, Mr Jabez,” I said: “I am very sorry.”
“Don’t deserve it,” he said, taking another pinch; “served me right for being such a fool. I don’t mind now; I never cry over spilt milk, but it nearly broke poor old Grim’s heart. Five hundred of his went, too, and it was very nearly being more.”
“I remember something about it,” I said. “You were speaking on the subject once before me.”
“Ah, so we were. Well, it was a warning to me, Grace. Temptation, you know.”
“Temptation?”
“Yes, to get bonus and high interest. Playing usurer, my boy. Serve us both right. Don’t you ever be led on to lending money on usury.”
“I’m not likely ever to have any to lend,” I said, laughing.
“I don’t know that,” he said, making another reference to his snuff-box. “Peter said in one of his letters that he thought there was some money that ought to come to you.”
“I’m afraid not,” I said, laughing. “I’ve a long debt to pay yet.”
“You!—you in debt, you young rascal!” he exclaimed angrily.