No, no; I'm goin' to die and
go--"
"You're goin' to have breakfast, that's what you're goin' to have. And
it shan't be warmed up fried clams either. Emily, you stay with him. I'm
goin' to the kitchen."
She fled to the kitchen, where, between fits of crying and laughing,
which would have alarmed Imogene had she been there, she tried to
prepare a breakfast which might tempt the repentant money-lender. Emily
joined her after a short interval.
"He won't listen to anything," said the young lady. "He has been
frightened almost to death, that's certain. He is praying now. I came
away and left him praying. Oh, Auntie, isn't it wonderful! Isn't it
splendid!"
Thankful sighed. "It's so wonderful I can scarcely believe it," she
said. "To think of his givin' up money--givin' it away of his own
accord! I said last night that Jedediah's comin' home was a miracle.
This one beats that all to pieces. I don't know what to do about takin'
that thousand from him," she added. "I declare I don't. 'Course I shan't
take it in the long run; I'll pay it back soon as ever I can. But should
I pretend to take it now? That's what troubles me."
"Of course you should. He is rich and he doesn't need it. What have you
done with that receipt? Put it away somewhere and in a safe place. He
is frightened; that--that something, whatever it was, last
night--frightened him so that he will give away anything now. But, by
and by, when his fright is over he may change his mind.
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