Part 19 (1/2)
”Yes; to make money. Very useful thing, Mr Luke.”
”Rubbis.h.!.+ You're as bad as Van Heldre with his s.h.i.+ps and his smelting works. Money! Money! Money! Always money, morning, noon, and night.
One constant hunt for the accursed stuff. Look at me!”
”I was looking at you, old fellow; and studying you.”
”Humph! Waste of time, unless you follow my example.”
”Then it will be waste of time, sir, for I certainly shall not follow your example.”
”Why not, boy? Look at me. I have no troubles. I pay no rent. My wants are few. I am nearly independent of tradespeople and tax men.
I've no slatternly wife to worry me, no young children to be always tumbling down the rocks or catching the measles. I'm free of all these troubles, and I'm a happy man.”
”Well, then, your appearance belies you, sir, for you do not look it,”
said Leslie laughing.
”Never you mind my appearance,” said Uncle Luke sharply. ”I am happy; at least, I should be, if you'd do away with that great smoky chimney and stop those rattling stamps.”
”Then I'm afraid that I cannot oblige you, neighbour.”
”Humph! Neighbour!”
”I fancy that an unbia.s.sed person would blame you and not me.”
”Of course he would.”
”He'd say if a man chooses to turn himself into a sort of modern Diogenes--”
”Diogenes be hanged, sir! All a myth. I don't believe there ever was such a body. And look here, Leslie, I imitate no man--no myth. I prefer to live this way for my own satisfaction, and I shall.”
”And welcome for me, old fellow; only don't scold me for living my way.”
”Not going to. Here, stop! I want to talk to you. How's copper?”
”Up a good deal, but you don't want to know.”
”Of course I don't. But look here. What do you think of my nephew?”
”Tall, good-looking young fellow.”
”Humph! What's the good of that? You know all about him, of course?”
”I should prefer not to sit in judgment on the gentleman in question.”
”So I suppose. Nice boy, though, isn't he?”
Leslie was silent.
”I say he's a nice boy, isn't he?” cried the old man, raising his voice.