Tom's proposition that he should sup with them
that night, he flatly rejected, but made an appointment with him for the
morrow. 'And now Tom,' he said, as they rode along, 'I have a question
to ask you to which I expect a manly and straightforward answer. Do you
want any money? I am pretty sure you do.'
'I don't indeed,' said Tom.
'I believe you are deceiving me.'
'No. With many thanks to you, I am quite in earnest,' Tom replied. 'My
sister has some money, and so have I. If I had nothing else, John, I
have a five-pound note, which that good creature, Mrs Lupin, of the
Dragon, handed up to me outside the coach, in a letter begging me to
borrow it; and then drove off as hard as she could go.'
'And a blessing on every dimple in her handsome face, say I!' cried
John, 'though why you should give her the preference over me, I don't
know. Never mind. I bide my time, Tom.'
'And I hope you'll continue to bide it,' returned Tom, gayly. 'For I
owe you more, already, in a hundred other ways, than I can ever hope to
pay.'
They parted at the door of Tom's new residence. John Westlock, sitting
in the cab, and, catching a glimpse of a blooming little busy creature
darting out to kiss Tom and to help him with his box, would not have had
the least objection to change places with him.
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