“No, I won’t have it,” was the reply. “I’ll run the chance of her.”
“No, my lord, pray do not do that!” Alick entreated. “I am as sure as I can be of anything her sight is affected. If you will take her for the six months, and pay my brother for her now, as he really wants the money, I shall be very grateful; but I would rather repay you myself than think hereafter you had bought a useless animal from us.”
“And pray, how the deuce should you propose to repay me yourself?” inquired Lord Kemms. But the words had scarcely passed his lips before he repented having uttered them.
“I hope not to remain a burden on my brother all my life,” answered the lad in a low tone, with his cheeks aflame, but with eyes boldly looking his questioner in the face.
“My boy,” said the nobleman, kindly laying his hand on Alick’s shoulder, “that is three times in one interview you have rebuked me. I am sorry to have pained you, and I beg your pardon for my thoughtlessness. Tell your brother he could not have chosen a better messenger. I will take Nellie, and, when you have made your fortune, we can talk about repayment, if she turn out badly.”
“Thank you, my lord.” The boy’s heart was very full, and he could not say another word.
Silently he moved towards the door, Lord Kemms following him.
“What are you going to be?” inquired the nobleman, as they stood together on the threshold.
“A merchant, if I am fortunate enough ever to rise higher than a clerk.”
“Do you think you will like business better than farming?”