“Give it to Florence, then. It’s hers by rights. Won’t we give Curtis a surprise? Where’s his wife?”
“I have found a comfortable boarding house for her. When had we better carry out this programme? She’s very anxious to see her husband.”
“The more fool she. Kape her at home and out of his sight, or there’s no knowin’ what he’ll do. And, Dodger, dear, kape an eye on the apple-stand. I mistrust Mrs. Burke that’s runnin’ it.”
“I will. Does the old gentleman seem to be very sick?”
“He’s wake as a rat. Curtis would kill him soon if we didn’t interfere. But we’ll soon circumvent him, the snake in the grass! Miss Florence will soon come to her own, and Curtis Waring will be out in the cold.”
“The most I have against him is that he tried to marry Florence when he had a wife already.”
“He’s as bad as they make ’em, Dodger. It won’t be my fault if Mr. Linden’s eyes are not opened to his wickedness.”
Chapter XXXVII.
The Diplomacy Of Mrs. O’Keefe.
Mrs. O’Keefe was a warm-hearted woman, and the sad, drawn face of Mr. Linden appealed to her pity.
“Why should I let the poor man suffer when I can relieve him?” she asked herself.