CHAPTER XXI 286
" No, sir; I am not on such terms with my relatives as would justify me in asking favours of them-- but I shall advertise."
" You shall walk up the pyramids of Egypt!" he growled. " At your peril you advertise! I wish I had only offered you a sovereign instead of ten pounds. Give me back nine pounds, Jane; I ' ve a use for it."
" And so have I, sir," I returned, putting my hands and my purse behind me. " I could not spare the money on any account."
" Little niggard!" said he, " refusing me a pecuniary request! Give me five pounds, Jane."
" Not five shillings, sir; nor five pence." " Just let me look at the cash." " No, sir; you are not to be trusted." " Jane!" " Sir?" " Promise me one thing." " I ' ll promise you anything, sir, that I think I am likely to perform."
" Not to advertise: and to trust this quest of a situation to me. I ' ll find you one in time."
" I shall be glad so to do, sir, if you, in your turn, will promise that I and Adele shall be both safe out of the house before your bride enters it."
" Very well! very well! I ' ll pledge my word on it. You go to-morrow, then?" " Yes, sir; early."