Page:Gaskell--A dark night's work.djvu/176

Rh “What were we talking about?” said Ralph, at length, with the most natural air in the world, just as if he had really been forgetful of some half-discussed subject of interest.

“Of what you’d a dd deal better hold your tongue about,” growled out Mr. Wilkins, in a surly thick voice.

“Sir!” said Ralph, starting to his feet with real passion at being so addressed by “Wilkins the attorney.”

“Yes,” continued the latter, “I’ll manage my own affairs, and allow of no meddling and no questioning. I said so once before, and I was not minded, and bad came of it; and now I say it again. And if you’re to come here and put impertinent questions, and stare at me as you’ve been doing this half-hour past, why, the sooner you leave this house the better!”

Ralph half turned to take him at his word, and go at once; but then he “gave Ellinor another chance,” as he worded it in his thoughts; but it was in no spirit of conciliation that he said:

“You’ve taken too much of that stuff, sir. You don’t know what you’re saying. If you did, I should leave your house at once, never to return.”

“You think so, do you?” said Mr. Wilkins,