Toilers of Babylon: A NovelFarjeon, B. L. (Benjamin Leopold)
General
Toilers of Babylon: A Novel
Farjeon, B. L. (Benjamin Leopold)
Inheritance and succession -- Fiction
"It is he, then," said Mr. Manners, "who has stirred up this matter
afresh?"
"Timothy," said the doctor, "is one of us. He passed many years of his
life in these streets, and he is acquainted with nearly every person
round about. He knew Mary Parkinson as a child, and, sharp business
man as he is, he is keen in matters of justice."
"Does he know anything of my intimacy with Mr. Inglefield?"
"No; nor does he know that Kingsley is your son. It will be strange
news to him, and he will rejoice in the good-fortune of the dearest
friends he has. I bade him await my return in my shop."
Mr. Manners was scarcely prepared to see in Timothy Chance a man who
won his regard the moment he set eyes upon him. Timothy had grown into
something more than a respectable man; his appearance was remarkable.
He was tall and well proportioned, and there was a sincerity and
straightforwardness in his manner which could not fail to favorably
impress strangers with whom he came into contact for the first time.
Being introduced, he and Mr. Manners shook hands with cordiality.
"Here is a man," thought Mr. Manners, "who, like myself, has carved
his way upwards." That fact was in itself sufficient to insure
respect.
"Mr. Chance," said Dr. Perriera--he usually called him by the
old name Timothy, but on this occasion he considered it would add
weight to Timothy's character to address him by a more ceremonious
title--"relate to Mr. Manners what you have told me of Mary Parkinson.
It may lead to a result you little dream of."
"Will it lead to justice?" asked Timothy.
"It shall," said Mr. Manners.
These two practical men immediately understood each other.
"It saddens me," said Timothy, addressing himself chiefly to Mr.
Manners, "to see those I have known from childhood on the wrong path.
Generally these things come home to one, but they appeal to us more
closely when there is a personal connection. The lot of the poor is
hard enough, without those who should know better making it harder. I
do not speak as a class man, but as a man who is desirous to mend
social grievances. Perhaps by and by I may be able to do something in
a public way."
"Mr. Chance is ambitious," observed Dr. Perriera.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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