Part 28 (2/2)

Unless the restoration is immediately commenced the spire will certainly crumble.

GEORGIANA.

Then it's a match between you and the spire which parts first. Gus, will you let your little sister lend you a hand?

THE DEAN.

My dear Georgiana, impossible!

GEORGIANA.

No, no--not out of my own pocket. Come here. [_She takes his arm and whispers in his ear._] Can you squeeze a pair of ponies?

THE DEAN.

Can I what?

GEORGIANA.

Can you raise fifty pounds?

THE DEAN.

Certainly. More than fifty pounds.

GEORGIANA.

No--no, don't be ras.h.!.+ That's the worst of you beginners. Only fifty by to-morrow morning.

THE DEAN.

Most a.s.suredly.

GEORGIANA.

Very well then--clap it on to Dandy d.i.c.k!

THE DEAN.

[_With horror._] What!

GEORGIANA.

He's a certainty--if those two buckets of water haven't put him off it! He's a moral--if he doesn't think of his tail coming down the hill. There's nothing like him at the weight. Keep it dark, Gus--don't breathe a word to any of your Canons or Archdeacons, or they'll rush at it and shorten the price for us. Go in, Gus, my boy--take your poor widowed sister's tip and sleep as peacefully as a blessed baby!

[_She presses him warmly to her and kisses him._

THE DEAN.

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