. There's better-looking, but you won't find many as
modest and good-hearted. Just make her acquaintance, and tell me if
I've deceived you. And look here, Scawthorne; by George, I'll make a
bargain with you! You say you'll be a partner in three years. Marry Jane
when that day comes, and I'll give you a thousand for a wedding
present. I mean it! What's more, I'll make my will on your marriage-day
and leave everything I've got to you and her. There now!'

'What makes you so benevolent all at once?' inquired Scawthorne,
blandly.

'Do you think I've got no fatherly feeling, man? Why, if it wasn't for
my wife I'd ask nothing better than to settle down with Jane to keep
house for me. She's a good girl, I tell you, and I wish her happiness.'

'And do you think I'm exactly the man to make her a model husband?'

'I don't see why not--now you're going to be a partner in a good
business. Don't you think I'm ten times as honest a man to-day as I was
yesterday? Poor devils can't afford to be what they'd wish, in the way
of honesty and decent living.'

True enough for once,' remarked the other, without irony.

'You think it over, Scaw. I'm a man of my word. You shall have your
money as soon as things are straight; and if you can bring about that
affair, I'll do all I said--so there's my hand on it. Say the word, and
I'll make you acquainted with her before--before I take that little
trip you know of, just for my health.'

'We'll speak of it again.'

Thereupon they parted. In the course of the following day Scawthorne's
report received official confirmation. Joseph pondered deeply with
himself whether he should tell his wife the truth or not; there were
arguments for both courses. By Tuesday morning he had decided for the
truth; that would give more piquancy to a pleasant little jest he had
in mind. At breakfast he informed her, as if casually, and it amused
him to see that she did not believe him.

'You'll be anxious to tell your mother. Go and spend the day with her,
but be back by five o'clock; then we'll talk things over. I have
business with the lawyers again.'

Clem repaired to the Close. Late in the afternoon she and her husband
again met at home, and by this time Joseph's elation had convinced her
that he was telling the truth. Never had he been in such a suave
humour; he seemed to wish to make up for his late severities. Seating
himself near her, he began pleasantly:

'Well, things might have been worse, eh?'