“But not by any wish or seeking of mine, Valentine; you know that,” spoke Tom readily, turning his honest eyes and kindly face on the fallen man. “I wish you were in your office still. There’s plenty of work for both of us.”
“Well, I am not in it; and you have got it all. You might lend me such a poor little sum as fifty pounds.”
“Of course I mean to lend it: but I was thinking. Look here, Valentine. I will not give it you now; you cannot want it before sailing: and you might lose it on board,” he added laughing. “You shall carry with you an order upon my brother George for one hundred pounds.”
“Will George pay it?”
“I will take care of that. He shall receive a letter from me by the same mail that takes you out. Stay, Valentine. I will give you the order now.”
He wrote what was necessary, sealed it up, and handed it over. Valentine thanked him.
“How is Emma?” he asked as he rose. “And the boy?”
“Quite well, thank you: both. Will you not go in and see them?”
“I think not. You can say good-bye for me. I don’t much care to trouble people.”