Faringfield: "If I might speak with you alone a moment, sir--"
Mr. Faringfield went with him into the library, leaving us all under
new apprehension.
"Dear bless me!" quoth Mrs. Faringfield, looking distressed. "More
calamity, I vow."
In a moment we heard Mr. Faringfield's voice raised in a vehement "No,
sir!" Then the library door was reopened, and he returned to us,
followed by Cornelius, who was saying in his mildest voice: "But I
protest, sir--I entreat--he is a changed man, I assure you."
"Changed for the worse, I make no doubt," returned the angry merchant.
"Let him not darken my door. If it weren't Sunday, I should send for a
constable this moment."
"What is it?" cried Mrs. Faringfield. "Sure it can't be--that boy
again!"
"Mr. Edward, madam," said the tutor.
"Dear, dear, what a day! What a terrible day! And Sunday, too!" moaned
the lady, lying back in her chair, completely crushed, as if the last
blow of fate had fallen.
"He arrived in the _Sarah_ brig, which anchored yesterday evening,"
explained Mr. Cornelius, "but he didn't come ashore till this
morning."
"He thought Sunday safer," said Mr. Faringfield, with scornful
derision.
"I was returning from my service, when I met him," continued the
tutor. "He was at the Faringfield wharf, inquiring after the health of
the family, of Meadows the watchman. I--er--persuaded him to come home
with me."
"You mean, sir, he persuaded you to come and intercede for him," said
Mr.
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