Mackenzie has rather a short temper," the Colonel said with a
gentle smile. "Poor thing, she has had a great deal to bear in
consequence, Pen, of my imprudence. I am glad you never took shares in
our bank. I should not be so glad to see you as I am now, if I had
brought losses upon you as I have upon so many of my friends." I, for my
part, trembled to hear the good old man was under the domination of the
Campaigner.
"Bayham sends me the paper regularly; he is a very kind faithful
creature. How glad I am that he has got a snug berth in the City! His
company really prospers, I am happy to think, unlike some companies you
know of, Pen. I have read your two speeches, sir, and Clive and I liked
them very much. The poor boy works all day at his pictures. You know he
has sold one at the exhibition, which has given us a great deal of heart
--and he has completed two or three more--and I am sitting to him now
for--what do you think, sir? for Belisarius. Will you give Belisarius and
the Obolus kind word?"
"My dear, dear old friend," I said in great emotion, "if you will do me
the kindness to take my Obolus or to use my services in any way, you will
give me more pleasure than ever I had from your generous bounties in old
days.
Pages:
1682
1683
1684
1685
1686
1687
1688
1689
1690
1691
1692
1693
1694
1695
1696
1697
1698
1699
1700
1701
1702
1703
1704
1705
1706