"If so be your father wants anythink, Tom will despond to the summins as usual," said the butler, leisurely seating himself upon a chair close by the table whereon Richard had placed his package. "But might I be so formiliar as to inquire into the insignification of that bundle of shirts and ankerchers." "Whittingham, I implore you to ask me no questions: I am in a hurry--and----" "Master Richard, Master Richard," cried the butler, shaking his head gravely, "I'm very much afeerd that somethink preposterious is going to incur. I could not remain a entire stranger to all that has transpirated this day; and now I know what it is," he added, slapping his right hand smartly upon his thigh; "your brother's a-going to amputate it!" "To what?" "To cut it, then, if you reprehend that better. But it shan't be done, Master Richard--it shan't be done!' "Whittingham----" "That's my nomenklitter, Master Richard," said the old man, doggedly; "and it was one of the fust you ever learned to pernounce. Behold ye, Master Richard, I have a right to speak--for I have knowed you both from your cradles--and loved you too! Who was it, when you come into this subluminary spear--who was it as nussed you--and----" "Good Whittingham, I know all that, and----" "I have no overdue curiosity to satisfy, Master Richard," observed the butler; "but my soul's inflicted to think that you and Master Eugene couldn't make a friend of old Whittingham. I feel it here, Master Richard--here, in my buzzim!"--and the worthy old domestic dealt himself a tremendous blow upon the chest as he uttered these words. "I must leave you now, Whittingham; and I desire you to remain here until my return," said Richard. "Do you hear, Whittingham?" "Yes, Master Richard; but I don't choose to do as you would wish in this here instance. I shall foller you." "What, Whittingham?" "I shall foller you, sir." "Well--you can do that," said Richard, suddenly remembering that his brother had in nowise cautioned him against such an intervention as this; "and pray God it may lead to some good." "Ah! now I see that I am raly wanted," said the butler, a smile of satisfaction playing upon his rubicund countenance. Richard now led the way from the apartment, the butler following him in a stately manner. They descended the stairs, crossed the garden, and entered the path which led to the top of the hill. "Two trees, I suppose?" said the old domestic inquiringly. "Yes--he is there!" answered Richard; "but the reminiscence of the times when we planted those saplings has failed to induce him to abandon a desperate resolution." "Ah! he ain't got Master Richard's heart--I always knowed that," mused the old man half audibly as he trudged along. "There are them two lads--fine tall youths--both black hair, and intelligible black eyes--admirably formed--straight as arrows--and yet so diversified in disposition!"