"Yes, certainly," said Lawson.
He had given Effie his hand when he came into the room, but he scarcely looked at her.
He sat down near Mrs. Staunton, and began to talk to her in his usual bright way. She yielded after a moment to his charm. Lawson was a young fellow with a great amount of general information; he had also abundance of tact, and he knew how to suit his words to Mrs. Staunton's requirements.
When George saw his friend talking to his mother, he went up to Effie and stood near her.
"Come to this end of the room," he said abruptly.
Effie followed him.
"I am likely to make quite a pile of money," he said, speaking in a low voice and glancing toward his mother. "I know you think badly of me,—it's awfully hard on a fellow when his sister thinks badly of him,—but, nevertheless, I am likely to be in a real good way of business soon. And what I want to say now is this, Effie. I am anxious to pay back that £250 which you borrowed for me."
"I wish you would," said Effie.
"Well, I dare say I can give you fifty pounds toward it this week. Squire Harvey won't require the whole of the money back at once."
"Oh, he doesn't require it at all," said Effie. "It is I who require it. It is my honor and the honor of my dead father that demands it. It ought to be paid back, and you ought to do it."