Part 19 (1/2)
”I'll take care of that.”
Mr. Carden said this rather dryly, and then retired for a minute; and Grace who was not far off, with an ear like a hare, came back soon after.
But in the meantime Henry left his seat and went to Jael, and, leaning over her as she worked, said, ”There is more in that head of yours than I thought.”
”Oh, they all talk before me,” said Jael, blus.h.i.+ng faintly, and avoiding his eye.
”Jael Dence,” said the young man, warmly, ”I'm truly obliged to you.”
”What for?”
”For your good advice. I didn't see how good it was till after I had taken it.”
”I'm afeard Miss Grace gave you better.”
”She advised me against my heart. What is the use of that?”
”Ay, young men are willful.”
”Come, come, don't you go back. You are my friend and counselor.”
”That is something,” said Jael, in a low voice; and her hands trembled at her side.
”Why, my dear girl, what's the matter?”
”Hus.h.!.+ hush?”
CHAPTER VIII.
Grace came in, that moment, with a superb air. She settled herself on the sofa.
”Now, it is my turn, if you please. Pray, sir, do you think your life will be any safer for your insuring it? Insuring does not mean that you are not to be killed; but that, when you ARE, for your obstinacy, somebody else will get paid some money, to dance with over your grave.”
”I beg your pardon, Grace,” said Mr. Carden, entering with some printed papers in his hand. ”That is not the only use of an insurance. He may want to marry, or to borrow a sum of money to begin business; and then a policy of insurance, with two or three premiums paid, smooths the difficulty. Everybody should make a will, and everybody should insure his life.”
”Well then, sir, I will do both.”
”Stop!” said Mr. Carden, who could now afford to be candid. ”First of all, you ought to satisfy yourself of the flouris.h.i.+ng condition of the company.” He handed him a prospectus. ”This will show you our capital, and our disburs.e.m.e.nts last year, and the balance of profit declared. And this gives the balance sheet of the 'Vulture' and the 'Falcon,' which have a.s.signed their business to us, and are now incorporated in the 'Gosshawk.'”
”Oh, what a voracious bird!” observed Grace. ”I hope these other chickabiddies will not prove indigestible. Were they plucked first, papa? or did the 'Gosshawk' swallow them feathers and all?”
Little laughed heartily at this pert sally, but Mr. Carden winced under it.
Then Grace saw she was not quite weaponless, and added, ”After such a meal, as that, Mr. Little, you will go down like a crumb.”
”Grace, that is enough,” said Mr. Carden, rather severely.
Grace held her tongue directly, and the water came into her eyes.