is is one of a noo lot I
bought. Have one, old man."

Hendon made a fierce gesticulation, and scowled in the grinning face.

"How long are you going to stop here?" he said.

"Long as I like. P'raps I shall have the house done up, and come and
live here."

"What?"

"Ah! what indeed! Suppose I bought the lease of the governor? What
have you got to say to that?"

Hendon glared at him wildly.

"How's the little angel--Janet?"

Hendon's hands clenched, and he ground his teeth, while Poynter laughed
at him.

"So the big brother's out of the hospital; got over his D.T., and
lodging with his sister, eh?"

Hendon made no reply.

"Come, old chap," continued Poynter, "have a cigar, and do try and be
sensible. I don't want to do nothing hard, but of course a man must
fight for his own hand. I haven't come here to sell you up, but to
bring you to your senses, like the friend I always was. Now look here,
Hendon, this brother seems to be as loose a fish as a girl could have
for a relation; but Miss Heath's as smart a little lass as e'er
stepped--"

"Have the goodness to leave Miss Heath's name alone, sir."

"Waxy again. Now look here, Hendon, I'm a rich man. Suppose I say to
you, my lad, look out for a snug little practice; I'll lend you the
money--can't afford to give it--buy the practice, and marry Janet.
Isn't that being a friend?"

Hendon went on pacing the room.

"Sulky, eh? All right: answer me this, then. Shouldn't I make your
sister a better husband than this Mark Heath? Come, be sensible; take
me up-stairs to see her. Now, at once. Let me make things pleasant for
all of you. What's the good of being enemies, when we might be
friends?"

"Friends!"

"Better than being master and slave, eh, Hendon, my lad? Borrower slave
to the lender, eh?"

"Ah!" ejaculated Hendon.

"Come, come, you're sensible now. Take me up-stairs, and let's have it
out with Rich."

"With Rich!" cried Hendon passionately.

"There, don't you be so cocky, young man. I don't call your Janet,
Jenny. Yes, with Rich; my own dear darling Rich. There! How do you
like that? Now then, let's get it over."

"My sister is not at home."

"Then we'll go up and see the old man; and let's hear what he'll say to
it all. He won't deny that he's in my debt."

"Poor old fellow, no," groaned Hendon to himself.

"I say," said Poynter, turning grave, "where's Rich? She hasn't gone to
see that sailor chap?"

"I don't kno