You must make an effort, my dear--'tis the last. Come, don't be cast
down. I'll pay you when I come to my property, in three weeks' time; but
law expenses must be paid, and the money I must have.'
Hereupon Mrs. Mack clasped her hands together in an agony, and 'set up
the pipes.'
M. M. was like to lose patience, and when she did she looked most
feloniously, and in a way that made poor soft Mrs. Mack quiver.
''Tis but twenty pounds, woman,' she said, sternly.
'Hub-bub-bub-boo-hoo-hoo,' blubbered the fat and miserable Mrs.
Macnamara. 'It will be all about--I may as well tell it myself. I'm
ruined! My Venetian lace--my watch--the brocade not made up. It won't
do. I must tell my brother; I'd rather go out for a charwoman and starve
myself to a skeleton, than try to borrow more money.'
Mrs. Matchwell advanced her face towards the widow's tearful
countenance, and held her in the spell of her dreadful gaze as a cat
does a bird.
'Why, curse you, woman, do you think 'tis to rob you I mean?--'tisn't a
present even--only a loan. Stop that blubbering, you great old mouth! or
I'll have you posted all over the town in five minutes.
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