“It was very kind of you,” said I.
“You shouldn’t say that when you don’t mean it,” said my uncle. “And as I am going in a few minutes you need not look so alarmed.”
“I hope you will have a cup of tea before you go,” said I, hoping to change the subject.
“No, thank you. Your friend here asked me that already. Now, what about your debts, Fred?”
“Oh,” said I, “they are all paid by this time. An old schoolfellow advanced me the money, kindly, and I have all but repaid him out of my weekly allowance.”
“Humph!” said my uncle. “That scrape will be a lesson to you, I hope. Boys who make fools of themselves like that must suffer the consequences.”
“I had been very foolish I know,” I replied, humbly.
“But Fred’s as steady as a judge now,” said Jack, interposing for my relief.
“It’s nearly time he was,” replied my uncle, “unless he has made up his mind to ruin himself. He’s given up all his wild friends, I hope?”
“Oh yes, every one,” said I; “haven’t I, Jack?”