Although Alfred had not been breakfasting, and seemed to have quite
enough business on his hands as it was, he respectfully answered:
'If you please, sir.'
'If anything could be serious,' the Doctor began, 'in such a - '
'Farce as this, sir,' hinted Alfred.
'In such a farce as this,' observed the Doctor, 'it might be this
recurrence, on the eve of separation, of a double birthday, which
is connected with many associations pleasant to us four, and with
the recollection of a long and amicable intercourse. That's not to
the purpose.'
'Ah! yes, yes, Dr. Jeddler,' said the young man. 'It is to the
purpose. Much to the purpose, as my heart bears witness this
morning; and as yours does too, I know, if you would let it speak.
I leave your house to-day; I cease to be your ward to-day; we part
with tender relations stretching far behind us, that never can be
exactly renewed, and with others dawning - yet before us,' he
looked down at Marion beside him, 'fraught with such considerations
as I must not trust myself to speak of now. Come, come!' he added,
rallying his spirits and the Doctor at once, 'there's a serious
grain in this large foolish dust-heap, Doctor. Let us allow to-
day, that there is One.'
'To-day!' cried the Doctor. 'Hear him! Ha, ha, ha! Of all days
in the foolish year.
Pages:
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38