"If you give him time you kill
him."
"Well, what do you want me to do? Mrs. Corey is thinking of setting
up a Buttons. But you say this boy has a soul above buttons. And
besides, he's too old."
"Yes."
"Look here, Bromfield," said Bellingham, "why don't you get
_him_ to read to you?"
Corey glanced from his cousin to the minister, whose face betrayed
that this was precisely what he had had in his own mind.
"Is that the job?" asked Corey.
Sewell nodded boldly.
"He would read through his nose, wouldn't he? I couldn't stand that.
I've stopped talking through mine, you know."
"Why, look here, Bromfield!" said Bellingham for the second time.
"Why don't you let me manage this affair for you? I'm not of much
use in the world, but from time to time I like to do my poor best;
and this is just one of the kind of things I think I'm fitted for. I
should like to see this young man. When I read in the newspapers of
some fellow who has done a fine thing, I always want to see what
manner of man he is; and I'm glad of any chance that throws him in
my way."
"Your foible's notorious, Charles. But I don't see why you keep my
cigars all to yourself," said Corey.
"My dear fellow," said Bellingham, making a hospitable offer of the
cigar-box from the mantel, "you said they'd cut you off."
"Ah, so they have. I forgot.
Pages:
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371