Presently he went out, and Mrs. Briggs, who had been waiting her opportunity, commenced an attack upon her husband.
“What are your plans for this boy, Mr. Briggs?” she asked. “Are you going to support him in idleness?”
“Certainly not. I shall find him a place as soon as I can.”
“What claim has he upon you, I should like to know?”
“He has only me to look out for him.”
“What of that?”
“He was the son of my old schoolmate.”
“I have old schoolmates, too, and some, I suppose, are in want; but I am not going to adopt their children.”
“This boy was especially recommended to me, and what property his father left was given in trust to me for him.”
“Well, it’s all used up, isn’t it?”