'It is of no moment,' said he, 'whether this person is to be
expected back at any time, or the contrary. He is gone away, and
there is no present expectation of his return. That, I believe, is
agreed on all hands.'

'Thath agreed, Thquire. Thick to that!' From Sleary.

'Well then. I, who came here to inform the father of the poor
girl, Jupe, that she could not be received at the school any more,
in consequence of there being practical objections, into which I
need not enter, to the reception there of the children of persons
so employed, am prepared in these altered circumstances to make a
proposal. I am willing to take charge of you, Jupe, and to educate
you, and provide for you. The only condition (over and above your
good behaviour) I make is, that you decide now, at once, whether to
accompany me or remain here. Also, that if you accompany me now,
it is understood that you communicate no more with any of your
friends who are here present. These observations comprise the
whole of the case.'

'At the thame time,' said Sleary, 'I mutht put in my word, Thquire,
tho that both thides of the banner may be equally theen. If you
like, Thethilia, to be prentitht, you know the natur of the work
and you know your companionth. Emma Gordon, in whothe lap you're a
lying at prethent, would be a mother to you, and Joth'phine would
be a thithter to you. I don't pretend to be of the angel breed
myself, and I don't thay but what, when you mith'd your tip, you'd
find me cut up rough, and thwear an oath or two at you. But what I
thay, Thquire, ith, that good tempered or bad tempered, I never did