Page:Barr--Stranleighs millions.djvu/296

284 brought the town nearer to the root of the matter than it was aware of. The old man himself visibly hankered after the ready money, and in this he was aided and abetted by the innkeeper, who saw a chance at last of having his score cleared off; but the rest were unanimously against this disloyalty to Tom. Still, the combination was no match for Mrs. Stover, who herself had followed her husband to the pub, determined that the acceptance should be sent off at once. Her vehemence silenced, if it did not convince, the opposition, so the aged schoolmaster set about penning a reply, when right on top of the old woman's victory the door was pushed open and in came Tom Pitts himself. He explained his unexpected advent by saying he was sure a reply would have been received, and so he had left the Laughing Jane in the offing, and came ashore in the dinghy.

"What have you got to say about it, I'd like to know?" demanded Mrs. Stover, placing her arms akimbo, and facing him with battle on her brow.

Tommy smiled genially upon her.

"Nothing at all, Mrs. Stover—nothing at all. Of course, that's why I meddle. It's human nature. I knew you would muddle it, if left to yourselves."

"Muddle, indeed!" cried the virago. "Don't you think I've got as much sense as ever you had in your silly pate?"