'You
and Clem were precious artful, weren't you now? It's my turn now.
Thought I'd got money--ha, ha!'
'And so you have,' replied Mrs. Peckover. 'We know all about it, so
you needn't try your little game.'
'Know all about it, do you? Well, see here. My brother Mike died out
in Australia, and his son died at the same time--they was drowned.
Mike left no will, and his wife was dead before him. What's the law,
eh? Pity you didn't make sure of that. Why, all his money went to
the old man, every cent of it. I've no claim on a penny. That's the
law, my pretty dears!'
'He's a ---- liar!' roared Clem, who at the best of times would have
brought small understanding to a legal question. 'What did my
brother say in his letter?'
'He was told wrong, that's all, or else he got the idea out of his
own head.'
'Then why did they advertise for you?' inquired Mrs. Peckover,
keeping perfect command of her temper.
'The old man thought he'd like to find his son again, that's all.
Ha, ha! Why can't you take it good-humoured, Clem? You had your joke
yesterday, and you can't say I cut up rough about it. I'm a
good-natured fellow, I am. There's many a man would have broke every
bone in your body, my angel, you just remember that!'
It rather seemed as if the merry proceeding would in this case be
reversed; Joseph had risen, and was prepared to defend himself from
an onslaught.
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