The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

16 THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. ‘And why not?” ‘* Because,” resumed the heartless man of figures, “he has not another month to live. Currey, who attends my wife and youngest daughter, told me so.” ** And you knew this,”” exclaimed Henry Beacham, in a tone of indignation; ‘‘ knew it, and sent him out on a day hike this, dragging his emaciated form along the cold, damp streets of Manchester !” | ‘¢ Business is business, young gentleman,” replied Small, with a smile. ** You forget, sir, he has a mother.” ‘‘ And a sister,” added the partner, sarcastically. ‘* Both dependent on his industry,” resumed the young man, without seeming to notice the tone in which the last observation was made. ‘* Uncle,” he added, “ I am afraid I shall never make a merchant.” “Why so ?” ‘“‘ T lack the coldness and self-possession,”’ added the speaker, with an expression of disgust, “of your partner, Mr. Small.” ‘‘ And what do you propose?” demanded Grindem, without replying to the observation of his nephew. ‘Gripe and Holdfast are about to part with their junior clerk, a young man of excellent character, well acquainted with business, and the transactions of the firm where he has been employed; added to which, Mr. Bainton has the advantage of beng” — “The accepted suitor of Miss Judith Small,” ob- served Henry Beacham, turning to the senior partner. SS COniiclooecl (SO