'You'll sign, won't you?' said Michael.
'Do you know what you're doing?' cried Morris. 'You're compounding a
felony.'
'Very well, then, we won't compound it, Morris,' returned Michael. 'See
how little I understood the sterling integrity of your character! I
thought you would prefer it so.'
'Look here, Michael,' said John, 'this is all very fine and large; but
how about me? Morris is gone up, I see that; but I'm not. And I was
robbed, too, mind you; and just as much an orphan, and at the blessed
same academy as himself.'
'Johnny,' said Michael, 'don't you think you'd better leave it to me?'
'I'm your man,' said John. 'You wouldn't deceive a poor orphan, I'll
take my oath. Morris, you sign that document, or I'll start in and
astonish your weak mind.'
With a sudden alacrity, Morris proffered his willingness. Clerks were
brought in, the discharge was executed, and there was Joseph a free man
once more.
'And now,' said Michael, 'hear what I propose to do. Here, John
and Morris, is the leather business made over to the pair of you in
partnership. I have valued it at the lowest possible figure, Pogram and
Jarris's.
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