Page:A New England Tale.djvu/136

Rh "It is an easy thing, ma'am," said David, interrupting his mother, "to be reconciled to everlasting destruction; but if your mind is not equally resigned to the temporal ruin of a child, you must lend me the money."

"Lend it! You have already spent more than your portion in riotous living, and I cannot, in conscience, give you any thing."

Mrs. Wilson thus put a sudden conclusion to the conversation, and retreated from the field, like a skilful general, having exhausted all her ammunition.

As she closed the door, David muttered, "curses on her conscience; it will never let her do what she is not inclined to, and always finds a reason to back her inclinations. The money I must have: if fair means will not obtain it, foul must."