The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 182: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE FREEMASON’S DAUGHTER. 173 Small cast upon the speaker much the same sort of affectionate look which a hyena might be supposed to cast upon its cub, when first it developes its natural propensity for blood, by mangling some wounded victim which its parent had dragged into its den. He felt at that moment that Matthew was his son—not that his respectable spouse’s conduct had ever given him any reason to doubt it. ‘Come into the private room, Matthew—I want to speak with you.” The eldest scion of the pious house of Small jumped from his stool behind the desk, and followed his father into the sanctum sanctorum of the firm. “What 3s he at?” he muttered to himself. “ If Grindem should only return.” “‘ Matthew,” said his parent, throwing himself at the same time into his partner’s luxuriously-cushioned seat, and assuming, as much as possible, his dignified manner, “have you really any wish to become a partner in the house ?” ** T should think so!” “It will depend upon yourself.” ‘* He must be mad!” thought his son. ‘“ Grindem has turned his brain at last!” ‘Did you hear me ?”” demanded his father. “JT heard you. Don’t you think you had better go home ?”” “© Go home !” ‘¢ Yes, and lie down.” COniiclooecl SS (SO