By the way, we must not say
a word to the clerk; otherwise he will expect an answer, and make
out all sorts of inferences for himself, from the unsatisfactory
reply he must have. Dennison will be upon honour--will see every
side of the case--will know you refuse to prosecute; the Company
of which he is manager are no losers. Well! when I said what I
thought wise, of all this--when I spoke as if my course were a
settled and decided thing, the grim old man asked me if he was to
be an automaton in his own house. He assured me he had no feeling
for Dick--all the time he was shaking like an aspen; in short,
repeating much the same things he must have said to you last
night. However, I defied him, and the consequence is, I'm
forbidden the house, and, what is more, he says he will not come
to the office while I remain a partner."
"What shall you do?"
"Send Jemima and the baby. There's nothing like a young child for
bringing people round to a healthy state of feeling; and you
don't know what Jemima is, Mr. Benson! No! though you've known
her from her birth. If she can't comfort her mother, and if the
baby can't steal into her grandfather's heart, why--I don't know
what you may do to me. I shall tell Jemima all, and trust to her
wit and wisdom to work at this end, while I do my best at the
other."
"Richard is abroad, is not he?"
"He will be in England to-morrow. I must catch him somewhere; but
that I can easily do.
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