"Yes, I have tried everything--I really have. I should have had a

hundred and thirty pounds ready but for a misfortune with a horse which

I was about to sell. My uncle had given me eighty pounds, and I paid

away thirty with my old horse in order to get another which I was going

to sell for eighty or more--I meant to go without a horse--but now it

has turned out vicious and lamed itself. I wish I and the horses too

had been at the devil, before I had brought this on you. There's no

one else I care so much for: you and Mrs. Garth have always been so

kind to me. However, it's no use saying that. You will always think

me a rascal now."

Fred turned round and hurried out of the room, conscious that he was

getting rather womanish, and feeling confusedly that his being sorry

was not of much use to the Garths. They could see him mount, and

quickly pass through the gate.

"I am disappointed in Fred Vincy," said Mrs. Garth. "I would not have

believed beforehand that he would have drawn you into his debts. I

knew he was extravagant, but I did not think that he would be so mean

as to hang his risks on his oldest friend, who could the least afford

to lose."

"I was a fool, Susan:"

"That you were," said the wife, nodding and smiling. "But I should not

have gone to publish it in the market-place. Why should you keep such

things from me? It is just so with your buttons: you let them burst

off without telling me, and go out with your wristband hanging. If I

had only known I might have been ready with some better plan."

"You are sadly cut up, I know, Susan," said Caleb, looking feelingly at

her. "I can't abide your losing the money you've scraped together for

Alfred."

"It is very well that I _had_ scraped it together; and it is you who

will have to suffer, for you must teach the boy yourself. You must

give up your bad habits. Some men take to drinking, and you have taken

to working without pay. You must indulge yourself a little less in

that. And you must ride over to Mary, and ask the child what money she

has."

Caleb had pushed his chair back, and was leaning forward, shaking his

head slowly, and fitting his finger-tips together with much nicety.

"Poor Mary!" he said. "Susan," he went on in a lowered tone, "I'm

afraid she may be fond of Fred."

"Oh no! She always laughs at him; and he is not likely to think of her

in any other than a brotherly way."




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024