Part 23 (1/2)

”I suppose it won't much matter either,” said the father, ”if he goes to prison and rots there. It seems to me that that's the other alternative.”

Dr. Stanhope spoke of the custom of his youth. But his daughter, though she had lived so long abroad, was much more completely versed in the ways of the English world. ”If the man arrests him,” said she, ”he must go through the court.”

It is thus, thou great family of Sidonia--it is thus that we Gentiles treat thee, when, in our extremest need, thou and thine have aided us with mountains of gold as big as lions--and occasionally with wine-warrants and orders for dozens of dressing-cases.

”What, and become an insolvent?” said the doctor.

”He's that already,” said Charlotte, wis.h.i.+ng always to get over a difficulty.

”What a condition,” said the doctor, ”for the son of a clergyman of the Church of England.”

”I don't see why clergymen's sons should pay their debts more than other young men,” said Charlotte.

”He's had as much from me since he left school as is held sufficient for the eldest son of many a n.o.bleman,” said the angry father.

”Well, sir,” said Charlotte, ”give him another chance.”

”What!” said the doctor, ”do you mean that I am to pay that Jew?”

”Oh, no! I wouldn't pay him, he must take his chance; and if the worst comes to the worst, Bertie must go abroad. But I want you to be civil to Bertie and let him remain here as long as we stop. He has a plan in his head that may put him on his feet after all.”

”Has he any plan for following up his profession?”

”Oh, he'll do that too; but that must follow. He's thinking of getting married.”

Just at that moment the door opened, and Bertie came in whistling.

The doctor immediately devoted himself to his egg and allowed Bertie to whistle himself round to his sister's side without noticing him.

Charlotte gave a sign to him with her eye, first glancing at her father, and then at the letter, the corner of which peeped out from under the tea-tray. Bertie saw and understood, and with the quiet motion of a cat he abstracted the letter and made himself acquainted with its contents. The doctor, however, had seen him, deep as he appeared to be mersed in his egg-sh.e.l.l, and said in his harshest voice, ”Well, sir, do you know that gentleman?”

”Yes, sir,” said Bertie. ”I have a sort of acquaintance with him, but none that can justify him in troubling you. If you will allow me, sir, I will answer this.”

”At any rate I shan't,” said the father, and then he added, after a pause, ”Is it true, sir, that you owe the man 700?”

”Well,” said Bertie, ”I think I should be inclined to dispute the amount, if I were in a condition to pay him such of it as I really do owe him.”

”Has he your bill for 700?” said the father, speaking very loudly and very angrily.

”Well, I believe he has,” said Bertie, ”but all the money I ever got from him was 150.”

”And what became of the 550?”

”Why, sir, the commission was 100 or so, and I took the remainder in paving-stones and rocking-horses.”

”Paving-stones and rocking-horses!” said the doctor. ”Where are they?”

”Oh, sir, I suppose they are in London somewhere--but I'll inquire if you wish for them.”

”He's an idiot,” said the doctor, ”and it's sheer folly to waste more money on him. Nothing can save him from ruin,” and so saying, the unhappy father walked out of the room.

”Would the governor like to have the paving-stones?” said Bertie to his sister.

”I'll tell you what,” said she. ”If you don't take care, you will find yourself loose upon the world without even a house over your head; you don't know him as well as I do. He's very angry.”