“I can believe virtue comes easier when it’s a vice,” said Lucian, meditatively; “but it strikes me very forcibly, sonny, that patient continuance in well-doing has undermined your principles. You’d feel pretty awkward at going to the deuce.”
“Would I? If I had that girl in my power, I’d be handy enough.”
“I deny it; but let that pass. Anyhow, if you had me in your power you wouldn’t lift a finger against me.”
“If you got between me and her—”
“You’d say, ‘Confound you, my children!’ and bite your thumb at us.”
“For my own sake and not yours, then; I never did an unselfish thing yet.”
“Oh, you are a liar,” said Lucian. “Why do you tell such lies? And, look here; I’ve something serious to say to you. I won’t put up with being told I live on your charity, not even when you’re sick.”
“I shall say what I please.”
“And I shall go when I please.”
“Oh, confound you!” said Farquhar; and he laughed and acquiesced.