I've my doubts about that; but it
wears well, and saves a quantity of snarling, which the genuine
article don't always.'
'See how you used to go on once, yourself, you know!' said
Clemency.
'Ah!' said Mr. Britain. 'But the most extraordinary thing, Clemmy,
is that I should live to be brought round, through you. That's the
strange part of it. Through you! Why, I suppose you haven't so
much as half an idea in your head.'
Clemency, without taking the least offence, shook it, and laughed
and hugged herself, and said, 'No, she didn't suppose she had.'
'I'm pretty sure of it,' said Mr. Britain.
'Oh! I dare say you're right,' said Clemency. 'I don't pretend to
none. I don't want any.'
Benjamin took his pipe from his lips, and laughed till the tears
ran down his face. 'What a natural you are, Clemmy!' he said,
shaking his head, with an infinite relish of the joke, and wiping
his eyes. Clemency, without the smallest inclination to dispute
it, did the like, and laughed as heartily as he.
'I can't help liking you,' said Mr. Britain; 'you're a regular good
creature in your way, so shake hands, Clem. Whatever happens, I'll
always take notice of you, and be a friend to you.'
'Will you?' returned Clemency. 'Well! that's very good of you.'
'Yes, yes,' said Mr. Britain, giving her his pipe to knock the
ashes out of it; 'I'll stand by you.
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