14,000, or of the
greater part, if I choose. The child that marries first usually jockeys
the other.
"3. Alfred Hardie, my son, and my creditor, deep in love with No. 2, and
at present somewhat alienated from me by my thwarting a silly love
affair; which bids fair to improve into a sound negotiation.
"4. The L. 14,000 paid to me personally after banking hours, and not
entered on the banking books, nor known but to you and me,
"Now suppose I treat this advance as a personal trust? The bank breaks:
the money disappears. Consternation of the Dodds, who, until enlightened
by the public settlement, will think it has gone into the well.
"In that interval I talk Alfred over, and promise to produce the L.
14,000 intact, with my paternal blessing on him and Miss Dodd, provided
he will release me from my debt to him, and give me a life interest in
half the money settled on him by my wife's father, to my most unjust and
insolent exclusion. Their passion will soon bring the young people to
reason, and then they will soon melt the old ones."
Skinner was struck with this masterly little sketch.
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