"
"You treated him with all respect, I hope?"
"With all the respect in the world, sir. But it scarcely matters,
since he has cast me off, and without a penny."
"Why, then, you can come too!" cried my father, gripping him by the
hand. "Bravo, Prosper! that makes five; and with Billy Priske, when
we can find him, six; and that leaves but one to find before
dinner-time." He pulled out his watch. "Lord!" he cried, "and 'tis
high time to feel hungry, too. If this lady now will repeat her
hospitable offer--"
I thought at the moment, and I thought once or twice during the meal
downstairs, that my father was taxing this poor woman's hospitality.
I doubted that he, himself so carelessly hospitable, might forget to
offer her payment; and lingered after the others had trooped into the
passage, with purpose to remind him privately.
"Come," said he, and made a notion to leave, still without offering
to pay. On the threshold I had almost turned to whisper to him when
the woman came after and touched his arm.
"Nay, Sir John," said she, eagerly, in a low hoarse voice, "let the
lad hear me thank you.
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