I
don't say it would, but it might. That being so, I'm agreeable to going
back without seeing her again by the six-forty train to-morrow morning if
it's made worth my while."
"Made worth your while?" repeated the other.
"Certainly," said the unblushing Mr. Stiles. "She's not a bad-looking
woman--for her age--and it's a snug little business."
Mr. Burton, suppressing his choler, affected to ponder. "If 'arf a
sovereign--" he said, at last.
"Half a fiddlestick!" said the other, impatiently. "I want ten pounds.
You've just drawn your pension, and, besides, you've been a saving man
all your life."
"Ten pounds?" gasped the other. "D'ye think I've got a gold-mine in the
back garden?"
Mr. Stiles leaned back in his chair and crossed his feet. "I don't go
for a penny less," he said, firmly. "Ten pounds and my ticket back. If
you call me any more o' those names I'll make it twelve."
"And what am I to explain to Mrs. Dutton?" demanded Mr. Burton, after a
quarter of an hour's altercation.
"Anything you like," said his generous friend. "Tell her I'm engaged to
my cousin, and our marriage keeps being put off and off on account of my
eccentric behaviour.
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