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Caske in the handling of his considerable wealth. "He's simply tossing his money from him, sir," he reiterated, "as if it were just a heap of leaves." "Yes," said Mr. Botterill, "and it doesn't seem right." Mr. Botterill was a tall man, with glossy black hair and whiskers, and an inflamed face. He seemed never to be quite at ease in his mind, which, perhaps, was not matter for surprise. Mr.
Caske, advancing, with his pipe in his left hand, and his right hand stretched out; "you have surprised us at our devotions again." "Which you are performing," rejoined the minister, "with an earnestness worthy of a nobler object of worship." Mr. Caske laughed huskily; and the minister turned to greet Messrs. Botterill and Kershaw, who were waiting, pipes in hand, to resume their seats. Mr.
Caske has company to-night, sir," said the maid who opened the door. "Any one I know, Mary?" "Yes, sir; Mr. Botterill and Mr. Kershaw." "Oh, well, I want to see them too. Where are they?" "In the smoke-room, sir." "Well, show me in. It will be all right." As Mr. Durnford was a frequent and privileged visitor, the girl promptly complied with his request.
Botterill was a wine and spirit merchant, and Mr. Kershaw was a draper in a large way. When they had all taken their seats, a few moments of silence ensued. This was occasioned by the necessity which arose for the three smokers vigorously to puff their pipes, which had burnt low; and perhaps there was some little reluctance, on the part of Mr.
"Ah," exclaimed Mr. Durnford, with an intonation in which sarcasm might not have been difficult to detect, "and what about 'the Golden Shoemaker'?" Mr. Caske looked at Mr. Botterill and Mr. Kershaw; and Mr. Kershaw and Mr. Botterill looked first at each other, and then at Mr. Caske. "Well," replied Mr. Caske, at length, "he's being more talked about than ever."
Botterill once more put in his word. "I heard, only the other day, that Mr. Horn had announced his intention of presenting the town with a Free Library and a Public Park." "It's like his impudence!" exclaimed Mr. Kershaw. "After that I can believe anything," cried Mr. Caske. "The man ought to be stopped. It's very much to be regretted that he ever came into the money.
But, perhaps, after what has been said, you would like to take a day or two ?" "No, for my part," interposed Mr. Caske, "I don't want any time. I'll double my subscriptions at once." "Same here," said Mr. Kershaw, concisely. "Thank you, gentlemen!" said Mr. Durnford, briskly, entering the amounts in his note book. "Now, Mr. Botterill."
Botterill, "ought we not to consider our wives and families?" "You do, Mr. Botterill, you do," was the somewhat sharp reply. "But there still remains ample scope for the claims of God." Upon this, there ensued a pause, which was at length broken by Mr. Caske, who, whatever might be his shortcomings, was not an ill-natured man. "Well, sir," he remarked, good-humouredly, "you've hit us hard."
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