"He is miserable once who feels it,
But twice who fears it before it comes."
—Eastern Proverb.
"Well, Edward, what in the world are you going to do? Why, I never heard of such actions in all my forty years of life. A man of your honorable principles to be in league with such men as you have just described; why it just takes my breath away with astonishment, it certainly does."
Aunt Adeline gives the white head-dress on top of her head such an excited rap that its position lent to her face a peculiarly fierce expression quite foreign to her general air of amiability.
"Perhaps some means may present itself that will tide us over safely, but it is very dark looking just now, very dark indeed."
"Well, they cannot do anything with you, can they?" aunt Adeline inquires excitedly.
"No, my dear sister; only to have an old firm like ours go down seems a pity. And, Adeline, I hope you will not be very much displeased at what I did to-day." Mr. Litchfield speaks nervously.
"Now Edward, what have you been about again? You know how many imprudent actions you commit. Tell me what is the thing now you think I won't approve of?"
"This morning young Fanchon asked me to sign his note for three months." Aunt Adeline stiffens visibly in her chair.