'I am liberal, pretty free-handed with my money. It comes of my blood.'
'Ah!' said the housekeeper, 'and I reckon now you'll be wanting more.'
'I could do with more,' replied young Luxmore, 'but I will not trouble you.'
'Oh! it's no trouble,' said Mrs. Veale, 'I know very well that lending to you is safe as putting into the Bank of England. You must have your own some day, and when you're squire you won't see me want.'
'Rely on me, I will deal most generously with you. I shall not forget your kindness, Mrs. Veale.'
'But,' said the woman slyly, eyeing him, 'I can't find you as much as you require. You can't spin more out of me than my own weight, as the silkworm said. I've put aside my little savings. But as you see, the master don't pay freely. He gives you only ninepence, and me——' she shrugged her shoulders.
'If I were in your place,' she went on, after a pause, 'I should be tempted to borrow a hundred or so, and go to Physick the lawyer with it, and say, help me to Coombe Park, and when I've that, I'll give you a hundred more.'
'Who'd lend me the money? You have not so much.'
'No, I have not so much.'
'What other person would trust me?'