Have got to be off by the next
train." Then he used to fly away and not be heard of again for a week.
And yet the message was to be conveyed with an alluring courtesy that
might be attractive, and might indicate that no hostility was intended.
But it was not to be a positive message, but one which would signify
what might possibly take place. If it should happen that Mr. Harry was
walking in this direction, it might also happen that his uncle would be
pleased to see him. There was no better ambassador at hand than Matthew,
and therefore Matthew was commissioned to arrange matters. "If you can
get at Mrs. Weeks, and do it through his mother," suggested Mr. Prosper.
Then Matthew winked and departed on his errand.
In about two hours there was a ring at the back-door, of which Mr.
Prosper knew well the sound. Miss Thoroughbung had not been there very
often, but he had learned to distinguish her ring or her servant's. In
old days, not so very far removed, Harry had never been accustomed to
ring at all. But yet his uncle knew that it was he, and not the doctor,
who might probably come,--or Mr. Soames, of whose coming he lived in
hourly dread. "You can show him up," he said to Matthew, opening the
door with great exertion, and attempting to speak to the servant down
the stairs.
Pages:
762
763
764
765
766
767
768
769
770
771
772
773
774
775
776
777
778
779
780
781
782
783
784
785
786