There was a cordial greeting, and an
invitation to dine at once at a hotel, where they were joined by
some other young men, and by and by betook themselves to cards, when
my poor brother's besetting enemy prevented him from withdrawing
when he found the points were guineas. Thus he lost the remaining
amount in his charge, and so much of his own that barely enough was
left for his journey. His salary was not due till Lady Day; Mr.
Castleford was in the country, and no advances could be asked from
Mr. Frith. Thus Griff had found him in utter despair, and had ever
since been trying to cheer him and make light of his trouble. If I
advanced the amount, which was no serious matter to me, Clarence
could easily get Peter to pay the bill, and if my father should
demand the receipt too soon, it would be easy to put him off by
saying there had been a delay in getting the account sent in.
'I couldn't do that,' said Clarence.
'Well, I should not have thought you would have stuck at that,'
returned Griff.
'There must be no untruth,' I broke in; 'but if without THAT, he can
avoid getting into a scrape with papa--'
Clarence interrupted in the wavering voice we knew so well, but
growing clearer and stronger.
'Thank you, Edward, but--but--no, I can't. There's the Sacrament
to-morrow.'
'Oh--h!' said Griff, in an indescribable tone.
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