’Now, look here, Philip,’ said Mrs. Sidebottom good-humouredly, ’I have ordered shoulder of mutton and onion sauce: also quenilles of macaroni and forced-meat, and marmalade pudding. Come and discuss these good things with us, instead of mauling these dry bones of business.’
’I have already spoken to Mrs. and Miss Cusworth. Relying on your word, I told them what we purposed doing for them.’
’Then you made a mistake, and must eat your words. What a pity it is, Philip, that we are continually floundering into errors of judgment, or acts that our common-sense reproves, so that we come out scratched and full of thorns! You will be wiser in the future. Never make promises—that is, in money matters. If you persist in paying the hussy the four or five thousand pounds, I have no objection to the sum coming out of your own pocket. Excuse me, I must laugh, to think how you, a lawyer, have allowed yourself to be bitten.’
’I do not see how I am to pay the sum you mention without jeopardizing the business. I must have money in hand wherewith to carry it on. If you draw back——’
’There is no _if_ in the case. I do draw back. Do me the justice to admit that I never rushed into it. You did, dazzled by the girl’s eyes, drawn by her hair.’
’What—are you going, Phil? Lamb will be here directly. He is at the White Hart, I believe, playing billiards. It is disgusting that he can find no proper gentlemen to play with, and no good players either. Come, sit down again. You are going to dine with us. Some of your uncle’s old port and Amontillado sherry. It must be drunk—we shall hardly move it to York.’
’Under the circumstances I cannot.’ he said coldly. ’I trusted to your honour—I trusted to you as a lady, and,’ he raised his head, ’as a Pennycomequick——’
’How spelled?’ asked Mrs. Sidebottom laughingly.
’I cannot sit down with you now, with my respect and confidence shaken. I trust that you have spoken in jest, and that to-morrow you will tell me so; but I am not fond of jokes—such jokes as these leave a scar. I could not accept my share of Uncle Jeremiah’s property without making recognition of the claims of the Cusworth family. The father died in my uncle’s service; the mother and daughters have devoted themselves to making uncle’s life easy—and now to be cast out! If you hold back, and refuse to pay your share of two thousand pounds, I must pay the entire amount; and if the business suffers, well, it suffers. The responsibility will be yours, and the loss yours also, in part.’