Richard Forrest, Bachelor — page 225: what you’re looking at

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

216 A HOMILY ON MATRIMONY. and dine with us, en famille. We iad an engagement, but it’s too unpleasant to keep it.’’ “Thanks, very much,’’ returned Dick, ‘‘I cannot refuse you. How are madame and the little one?”’ ‘Very fit. By the way, you know we intend to call the youngster Richard Forrest. Does the suggestion suit you?”’ ‘‘Suit me!’’ exclaimed Dick, his whole countenance beam- ing. ‘‘It’s the greatest possible compliment, of course. But really, it’s too cruel to name the boy after such a good-for- nothing as lam. How came you to think of me?”’ “T don’t know,’’ dryly, ‘‘I am sure. Strange to say, though, the idea suggested itself to both my wife and my- self simultaneously. I’m glad it meets with your ap- proval.”’ ‘“‘ITcannot begin to express my gratification,’’ declared Dick, simply. ‘‘Solsha’n’t try. Now I’ve got what I so sadly need—an object in life. Depend upon it, the lad shall be my especial charge, and while I’ve a cent to bless myself with, he shall have half if he wants it. I must buy him a lot of toys at once, mustn’tI? Let me see—he must have a silver mug the first thing, and a napkin ring with his name on it, and a music-box, a bear that stands on its hind legs and growls; that will amuse him, eh? And a lit- tle man who saws wood. You put him over the register, you know, and the heat does the business. Oh, yes, anda goat-cart and a pony, later on——”’ ‘‘And aracing stablein a year or two, not forgetting rifles and pistols of the latest make when he is in short coats,’’ laughed Arthur. “Allin due season, however, old man; just at present he is very much interested in biting his thumbs and—yes, candor compels me to admit—in ex- ercising his already powerful young lungs. Dick,’’ he -——y CORNIELOOO KS, EO) im