"The moment I can find out the person that dared to do so, that
moment they shall leave my family. Must I keep an open house for every
strolling vagabond in the country?"
"If you choose to turn me out," replied her husband, "you may try your
hand at it. It was I ordered the poor man his breakfast; and, what is
more, I desire you instantly to hold your peace."
As he spoke, she saw that one of his determined looks settled upon his
countenance--a pretty certain symptom that she had better be guided by
his advice.
"Come, Barney," said he, "throw up that window and send the poor man
here, until he tells us what he knows about this affair."
The window was accordingly thrown open, and in a few minutes Bandy Brack
made his appearance outside, and, on being interrogated on the subject
in question, took off his hat, and was about to commence his narrative,
when Lindsay said,
"Put on your hat, Bandy; the sun's too hot to be uncovered."
"That's more of it," said his wife; "a fine way to make yourself
respected, Lindsay."
"I love to be respected," he replied sternly, "and to deserve respect:
but I have no desire to incur the hatred of the poor by oppression and
want of charity, like some of my female acquaintances.
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