Cavendish Dusautoy pursued, 'It was bred at Lord Lewthorp's, and sold
because it was too tall for its companion. Laing was on the point of
sending it to Tattersalls, where he was secure of a hundred, but he
was willing to oblige me, as we had had transactions before.'
'Papa!' cried Maurice, 'I know it is Macheath, for Mr. Tritton showed
him to Gilbert and me, when he had just got him, and said he was a
showy beast, but incurably lame, so he should get what he could for
him from Laing. Now, James, isn't it?' he called to the servant who
was sedulously turning away a grinning face, but just muttered,
'Same, sir.'
Mr. Kendal charitably looked the other way, and Algernon muttered
some species of imprecation.
Thenceforth Maurice took every occasion of inquiring what had become
of Macheath, whether Laing had refunded the price, and what had been
done to him for telling stories.
If the boy began in innocence, he went on in mischief; he was just
old enough to be a most aggravating compound of simplicity and
malice. He was fully aware that Mr. Cavendish Dusautoy was held
cheap by his own favourites, and had been partly the cause of his
dear Gilbert's troubles, and his sharp wits and daring nature were
excited to the utmost by the solemn irritation that he produced. Not
only was it irresistibly droll to tease one so destitute of fun, but
he had the strongest desire to see how angry it was possible to make
the big brother-in-law, of whom every one seemed in awe.
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