"Ho, ho, clever Teddy! You've left a deputy to look after your interests, have you? Poor boy--no wonder you expect news of him!"
Captain Oliphant, crimson and trembling, rose to his feet.
"Ratman!" muttered he between his teeth, "I may be all you take me for-- but don't talk of my daughter. She--she,"--and he almost choked at the word--"she is as good as I--and you--are black. Talk about me if you like--but forget that I have children of my own."
"My dear boy, you are quite amusing. I will make a point of forgetting the interesting fact. So the boy is being well looked after?"
"Too well," replied the captain, pulling himself together after his last outbreak. "The doctor is daft about him; and besides him, as I told you, there is the tutor."
"Ah! I forgot about him. Is he a nice sort of chap?"
"He's your worst enemy as well as mine. While he is about the place there's no chance for either of us."
"Thanks--don't bring me into it. Say there's no chance for you. I can take care of myself. And how about mamma?"
"She is at present too ill and distracted by her son's danger to think of anything else. If the boy dies I shall not need to trouble her. If he gets well, I may find it my duty to become his stepfather."
"Charming man, and fortunate mamma! Meanwhile, what are you going to do for me?"
"My dear fellow, you must wait. I can put you up at Maxfield if you behave decently, but as to money, you will spoil all if you are impatient. I am not the only trustee, remember. I have to be careful."
"That's all very well. Sounds beautiful. But do you know, Teddy, I've not quite as much confidence in you as I should like to have. I can't enjoy my holiday without some pocket-money. The big lump might wait, if properly secured. But the interest would be very convenient to me just now. What shall I give you a receipt for?" added he, taking a seat at the table; "a hundred?"
"Don't be a fool, Ratman! I've nothing I can give you just now," said the captain angrily.
Ratman put down his pen, and whistled a stave, drubbing his fingers on the table. Then he took the pen again.
The captain ground his teeth in impotent fury.
"Thanks very much. I'll make it seventy-five, if you don't mind."
Captain Oliphant, with black countenance, slowly counted the notes out onto the table, while his friend with many flourishes wrote out the receipt. Before signing it he counted the money.