then when directly challenged by the apothecary's harangue.
The contemned volume skimmed across the table and toppled over at his
feet. With much gravity he stooped and picked it up; and as he did
so, heard Mrs. Wesley addressing him.

"And the curious part of it is," she was saying calmly, "that my
brother-in-law means all this in kindness!"

"No, I don't," snapped Matthew; and in the next breath, "well, yes, I
do then. Susanna, I beg your pardon, but you'd provoke a saint."
He dropped into his chair. "You know well enough that if I lose my
temper, 'tis for your sake and the girls'."

"I know," she said softly, covering his hand with hers. "But you
must e'en let us go our feckless way. Sir,"--she looked up--
"must this decision be made to-night?"

"Not at all, ma'am, not at all. The lad, if you will, may choose
when he comes of age; I have another string to my bow, should he
refuse the offer. But meantime, and while 'tis uncertain to which of
us he'll end by belonging, I hope I may bear my part in his school
fees."

"But that, to some extent, must bind him."

"No: for I propose to keep my share of it dark, with your leave.
But you shall hear further of this by letter. May I say, that if I
chose his father's son, I have come to-day to set my heart on his
mother's? I wish you good night, ma'am! Good night, sirs!"