Page:Jepson--Pollyooly.djvu/27

 but bestrewn with human wearing apparel; and then the Honorable John Ruffin came into it from his bedroom.

"What the deuce do you mean by forcing your way unannounced, Fitzgerald?" he said sharply.

"I've come for my money—the rest of my money," said Mr. Montague Fitzgerald in a tone of fierce bluster.

The tone seemed to soothe the Honorable John Ruffin; the slight frown cleared from his excellent brow; and he smiled an amiable, though mocking smile.

"Didn't you get my letter?" he said in a gentle, rather drawling voice.

"Yes; I got it all right. And I've come to find out what it means," said Mr. Montague Fitzgerald yet more blusterously.

"It means what it says. You've come to the end of fleecing me. I've paid off your loan and twenty per cent. interest on it; and I'm not going to pay a farthing more," said the Honorable John Ruffin in the sweetest tone of his well-modulated voice.

Mr. Montague Fitzgerald gasped; then he thundered, "My money! I'm going to 'ave it!"