"What, you spoke to that poor old man about your cursed debt!" cried Hendon furiously. "Of course I did. Cursed debt, indeed! Why, I've behaved as well as a man could behave. Lookye here, do you want me to sell you up?" Hendon uttered an ejaculation, and, writhing under his impotence, he began pacing the old dining-room, while with a show of proprietorship James Poynter set down his hat, put his handkerchief therein, took out his case, and selected a cigar. "Have a weed?" he said, nipping the end of the one he was about to smoke. "Damn you, and your cigars too!" cried the young man furiously. "Thank ye, cub!" said Poynter, lighting up. "There, you won't make me waxy. I'm a true friend in disguise. Ah, this is one of a noo lot I bought. Have one, old man." Hendon made a fierce gesticulation, and scowled in the grinning face. "How long are you going to stop here?" he said. "Long as I like. P'raps I shall have the house done up, and come and live here." "What?" "Ah! what indeed! Suppose I bought the lease of the governor? What have you got to say to that?" Hendon glared at him wildly. "How's the little angel--Janet?" Hendon's hands clenched, and he ground his teeth, while Poynter laughed at him. "So the big brother's out of the hospital; got over his D.T., and lodging with his sister, eh?" Hendon made no reply. "Come, old chap," continued Poynter, "have a cigar, and do try and be sensible. I don't want to do nothing hard, but of course a man must fight for his own hand. I haven't come here to sell you up, but to bring you to your senses, like the friend I always was. Now look here, Hendon, this brother seems to be as loose a fish as a girl could have for a relation; but Miss Heath's as smart a little lass as e'er stepped--" "Have the goodness to leave Miss Heath's name alone, sir." "Waxy again. Now look here, Hendon, I'm a rich man. Suppose I say to you, my lad, look out for a snug little practice; I'll lend you the money--can't afford to give it--buy the practice, and marry Janet. Isn't that being a friend?" Hendon went on pacing the room. "Sulky, eh? All right: answer me this, then. Shouldn't I make your sister a better husband than this Mark Heath? Come, be sensible; take me up-stairs to see her. Now, at once. Let me make things pleasant for all of you. What's the good of being enemies, when we might be friends?" "Friends!" "Better than being master and slave, eh, Hendon, my lad? Borrower slave to the lender, eh?" "Ah!" ejaculated Hendon. "Come, come, you're sensible now. Take me up-stairs, and let's have it out with Rich." "With Rich!" cried Hendon passionately. "There, don't you be so cocky, young man. I don't call your Janet, Jenny. Yes, with Rich; my own dear darling Rich. There! How do you like that? Now then, let's get it over." "My sister is not at home." "Then we'll go up and see the old man; and let's hear what he'll say to it all. He won't deny that he's in my debt."