Bowen, the blind man."
"Ah, then, you are finding the widowers most congenial. They do not
dissolve into tears so readily as the widows; and there may be other
fascinations. Really, I shall be compelled to forbid such intimacies."
"He is going to New York to-morrow morning, with the expectation of
having his sight restored, after being blind nearly twelve years."
"I presume he is very poor, else you would not take such strong interest
in him."
"He has no money. In other respects he is the richest person I ever
knew."
"Ah, he is a most remarkable individual. However, I dare say a little
money will not come amiss to him, notwithstanding his wealth. You will
want another quarter's instalment."
"Is my quarter up?" I caught Mrs. Flaxman's warning look, and spoke
rather guiltily.
"Not quite, but this is a peculiarly urgent case. Probably he is wholly
dependent on your bounty."
"Doctor Mackenzie told me that the doctor in New York won't charge
anything for removing the cataract from his eyes."
"I see you have gone about it, in a very businesslike manner. Does
MacKenzie charge for his advice?"
"Why, no, indeed; surely all men are not heartless."
"In money matters they are, more or less; possibly widowers should be
excepted."
"It is a pity some others should not lose a wife or two. A few might
require to lose half a dozen, at least."
"That would be cruel. Think what an upsetting of one's plans and business
arrangements generally that would entail.
Pages:
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182