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Reade, Charles, 1814-1884

"Hard Cash"

You are the only creature he is afraid
of; so I thought to stop his mouth with you. But instead of that, my lord
said calmly, 'That was understood; he loved me too well to steal me from
her to whom he was indebted for me.' Oh, he has always an answer ready.
And that makes him such a p-pest."
"It was an answer that did him credit."
"Dear mamma! now did it not? Then at parting he said he would come
to-morrow, and ask you for my hand; but I must intercede with you first,
or you would be sure to say 'No.' So I declined to interfere: 'W-w-what
was it to me?' I said. He begged and prayed me: 'Was it likely you would
give him such a treasure as Me unless I stood his friend?' (For the
b-b-brazen Thing turns humble now and then.) And, oh, mamma, he did so
implore me to pity him, and kept saying no man ever loved as he loved me,
and with his begging and praying me so passionately--oh, so
passionately--I felt something warm drop from his poor eyes on my hand.
Oh! oh! oh! oh!--What could I do? And then, you know, I wanted to get
away from him. So I am afraid I did just say 'Yes.


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