"Would that pay, do you think?" Mr. Winthrop inquired, giving me at the
same time a curiously intent look.
"The poor would thank you."
"How do you know there are any?"
"I have met a good many myself. I dare say there are others I know
nothing about."
He turned a keen look at Mrs. Flaxman; I saw her face flush; probably he
noticed it as well as I. Then he said, quite gravely:--
"You shall have all the surplus for your needy acquaintances; only
you must superintend the distribution. I firmly believe in giving
philanthropists their share of the labor."
The color flamed into my face, I could hardly repress the retort:--"Why
do you spoil the grace of your gift so ungraciously?" but I left the
words unsaid until he left the room, when I relieved my feelings much to
Hubert's amusement, who brightened greatly once the door was closed upon
him and we were alone.
"I could like that man better than any one I know if he hadn't such a
beastly way of conferring favors. Once I get earning money I shall pay
him every cent that I have cost him," Hubert said vindictively.
"Including Faery and the choice cigars?" his mother asked, with a sad
little smile.
Hubert flushed. "What are they to one of his means?"
"But if you pay him some day it will take you so much longer to pay for
them," I said, surprised he had not remembered this.
"I can't part with Faery. Youth is such a beggarly short affair, if one
can't have pleasure then, when will they get it?"
"I should think it was high-priced pleasure if I had to take it on those
terms.
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