“Let us hear it first, and then we shall judge better.”
“You say you will procure me a farm. Now, uncle, there is one thing I should wish in connection with that transaction, which is, that you would have no underhand—hem!—no private understanding of any kind with Mr. Hycy Burke.”
“Me a private understanding with Hycy Burke! What in the devil's name has put such a crotchet as that into your head?”
“I only speak as I do, because I believe you have received a private communication from him.”
“Have I, faith! If so I am obliged to you—but I am simply ignorant of the fact you mention; for, with my own knowledge', I never received a line from him in my life.”
“Then I must be wrong,” replied Harry; “that is all.”
“Wrong! Certainly you are wrong. Hycy Burke, I am told, is a compound of great knave and gross fool, the knavery rather prevailing. But how is this? Are not you and he inseparable?”
“He is a companion, uncle, but not a friend in the true sense—nor, indeed, in any sense of that word. I spoke now, however, with reference to a particular transaction, and not to his general character.”
“Well, then, I have no underhand dealings with him, as you are pleased to call them, nor ever had. I never to my knowledge received a line from him in my life; but I tell you that if he comes in my way, and that I can make use of him, I will. Perhaps he may serve us in the Elections. Have you anything else to ask?”
“No sir,” replied Harry, laughing. “Only I hope you will excuse me for the liberty I took.”