“No,” replied Doggie.
“Well, don’t say I haven’t made you generous offers,” said Oliver, and stalked away.
It was all very well for the Rev. Vernon Manningtree, when discussing this incident with the Dean, to dismiss Doggie with a contemptuous shrug and call him a little worm without any spirit. The unfortunate Doggie remained a human soul with a human destiny before him. As to his lack of spirit——
“Where,” said the Dean, a man of wider sympathies, “do you suppose he could get any from? Look at his parentage. Look at his upbringing by that idiot woman.”
“If he belonged to me, I’d drown him,” said the Rector.
“If I had my way with Oliver,” said the Dean, “I’d skin him alive.”
“I’m afraid he’s a young devil,” said the Rector, not without paternal pride. “But he has the makings of a man.”
“So has Marmaduke,” replied the Dean.
“Bosh!” said Mr. Manningtree.