Sylvia's Lovers - Page 116/290

Philip replied,-'There's no one who can put forwards a penny for me: I have but few

kin, and they have little to spare beyond what they need.'

Coulson said-'My father and mother have nine on us.'

'Let alone, let alone!' said John, relenting fast; for he was weary

of his part of cold, stern prudence.

'Brother, I think we have enough of this world's goods to do what we like wi' our own.'

Jeremiah was a little scandalized at the rapid melting away of

assumed character, and took a good pull at his pipe before he

replied-'Upwards of two thousand pounds is a large sum to set on the

well-being and well-doing of two lads, the elder of whom is not

three-and-twenty. I fear we must look farther a-field.'

'Why, John,' replied Jeremiah, 'it was but yesterday thee saidst

thee would rather have Philip and William than any men o' fifty that

thee knowed. And now to bring up their youth again them.'

'Well, well! t' half on it is thine, and thou shall do even as thou

wilt. But I think as I must have security for my moiety, for it's a

risk--a great risk. Have ye any security to offer? any expectations?

any legacies, as other folk have a life-interest in at present?'

No; neither of them had. So Jeremiah rejoined-

'Then, I suppose, I mun do as thee dost, John, and take the security

of character. And it's a great security too, lads, and t' best o'

all, and one that I couldn't ha' done without; no, not if yo'd pay

me down five thousand for goodwill, and stock, and fixtures. For

John Foster and Son has been a shop i' Monkshaven this eighty years

and more; and I dunnot think there's a man living--or dead, for that

matter--as can say Fosters wronged him of a penny, or gave short

measure to a child or a Cousin Betty.'

They all four shook hands round with the same heartiness as if it

had been a legal ceremony necessary to the completion of the

partnership. The old men's faces were bright with smiles; the eyes

of the young ones sparkled with hope.

'But, after all,' said Jeremiah, 'we've not told you particulars.

Yo're thanking us for a pig in a poke; but we had more forethought,

and we put all down on a piece o' paper.'

He took down a folded piece of paper from the mantel-shelf, put on

his horn spectacles, and began to read aloud, occasionally peering

over his glasses to note the effect on the countenances of the young

men. The only thing he was in the habit of reading aloud was a

chapter in the Bible daily to his housekeeper servant; and, like

many, he reserved a peculiar tone for that solemn occupation--a tone

which he unconsciously employed for the present enumeration of

pounds, shillings, and pence.