I hope you will not come to see me once more than is
necessary; and the first money I earn, you shall be paid part at
least of what I owe you."
The doctor laughed. It was such a school-boy speech, he thought! It
was a genuine relief to Cosmo to find him take the thing so
lightly.
"You were robbed on the way, Lady Joan tells me," Jermyn said.
"I am not sure that I was robbed," returned Cosmo; "but in any
case, even had I brought every penny I started with, I could not
have paid you. My father and I are very poor, Mr. Jermyn."
"And my father and I are pretty well to do," said the doctor,
laughing again.
"But," resumed Cosmo, "neither condition is a reason why you should
not be paid. Mine is only the cause why you are not paid at once."
"My dear fellow," said the doctor, laying his hand on the boy's, "I
am not such a very old man--it is not so very long since I was a
student myself--in your country too--at Edinburgh--that I should
forget what it is to be a student, or how often money is scarce in
the midst of every other kind of plenty and refinement."
"But I am not exactly a student now. I have been making a little
money as tutor; only--"
"Don't trouble your head about it, I beg of you," interrupted the
doctor. "It is the merest trifle. Besides, I should never have
thought of taking a fee from you! I am well paid in the pleasure of
making your acquaintance.--But there is one way," he added, "in
which you could make me a return.
Pages:
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375