Here is a Simple Simon vaunting his own flesh and
blood! No wonder that little gentleman there is grinning at me. Well,
grin away, lad! perhaps you haven't got any children. But you have, sir:
and you know how it is with us fathers; our hearts are so full of the
little darlings, out it must come. You can understand how joyful I feel
at saving their fortune from land-sharks and sea-sharks, and landing it
safe in an honest man's hands like you and your father before you."
Skinner handed him the receipt.
He cast his eye over it. "All right, little gentleman. Now my heart is
relieved of such a weight: I feel to have just cleared out a cargo of
bricks. Good-bye: shake hands. I wish you were as happy as I am. I wish
all the world was happy. God bless you! God bless you both!"
And with this burst he was out of the room and making ardently for Albion
Villa.
The banker and his clerk turned round on their seats and eyed one another
a long time in silence and amazement. Was this thing a dream? their faces
seemed to ask. Then Mr. Hardie rested his senatorial head on his hand and
pondered deeply.
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