dsalary—90l.ayear—andnow,”hecontinued,raisinghisvoice,“hearonceforallwhatIhavetosayaboutourrelationship,andallthatsortofhumbug!Imusthavenononsenseonthatpointitwouldneversuitme.IshallexcuseyounothingonthepleaofbeingmybrotherifIfindyoustupid,negligent,dissipated,idle,orpossessedofanyfaultsdetrimentaltotheinterestsofthehouse,IshalldismissyouasIwouldanyotherclerk.Ninetypoundsayeararegoodwages,andIexpecttohavethefullvalueofmymoneyoutofyouremember,too,thatthingsareonapracticalfootinginmyestablishment—business-likehabits,feelings,andideas,suitmebest.Doyouunderstand?”
“Partly,”Ireplied.“IsupposeyoumeanthatIamtodomyworkformywagesnottoexpectfavourfromyou,andnottodependonyouforanyhelpbutwhatIearnthatsuitsmeexactly,andonthesetermsIwillconsenttobeyourclerk.”
Iturnedonmyheel,andwalkedtothewindowthistimeIdidnotconsulthisfacetolearnhisopinion:whatitwasIdonotknow,nordidIthencare.Afterasilenceofsomeminutesherecommenced:—
“YouperhapsexpecttobeaccommodatedwithapartmentsatCrimsworthHall,andtogoandcomewithmeinthegig.Iwishyou,however,tobeawarethatsuchanarrangementwouldbequiteinconvenienttome.IliketohavetheseatinmygigatlibertyforanygentlemanwhomforbusinessreasonsImaywishtotakedowntothehallforanightorso.YouwillseekoutlodgingsinX——.”
Quittingthewindow,Iwalkedbacktothehearth.
“OfcourseIshallseekoutlodgingsinX——,”Ianswered.“ItwouldnotsuitmeeithertolodgeatCrimsworthHall.”
Mytonewasquiet.Ialwaysspeakquietly.YetMr.Crimsworth’sblueeyebecameincensedhetookhisrevengeratheroddly.Turningtomehesaidbluntly—
“Youarepoorenough,Isupposehowdoyouexpecttolivetillyourquarter’ssalarybecomesdue?”
“Ishallgeton,”saidI.
“Howdoyouexpecttolive?”herepeatedinaloudervoice.
“AsIcan,Mr.Crimsworth.”
“Getintodebtatyourperil!that’sall,”heanswered.“ForaughtIknowyoumayhaveextravagantaristocratichabits:ifyouhave,dropthemItoleratenothingofthesorthere,andIwillnevergiveyouashillingextra,whateverliabilitiesyoumayincur—mindthat.”
“Yes,Mr.Crimsworth,youwillfindIhaveagoodmemory.”
Isaidnomore.