The Girl on the Boat - Penn State University

Half-way down the stairs, it suddenly occurred to Mr.
Bennett that he wanted to sing. He wanted to sing very
loud, and for quite some time. He restrained the impulse,
and returned to bed. But relief such as his was
too strong to keep bottled up. He wanted to tell someone
all about it. He needed a confidant.
Webster, the valet, awakened once again by the ringing
of his bell, sighed resignedly and made his way
downstairs.
“Did you ring, sir?”
“Webster,” cried Mr. Bennett, “it’s all right! I’m not
dying after all! I’m not dying after all, Webster!”
“Very good, sir,” said Webster. “Will there be anything
further?”
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Girl</strong> on the Boat
126
CHAPTER XII
<strong>The</strong> Lurid Past of Jno. Peters
“THAT’S RIGHT!” said Sir Mallaby Marlowe. “Work while
you’re young, Sam, work while you’re young.” He regarded
his son’s bent head with affectionate approval.
“What’s the book to-day?”
“Widgery on Nisi Prius Evidence,” said Sam, without
looking up.
“Capital!” said Sir Mallaby. “Highly improving and
as interesting as a novel—some novels. <strong>The</strong>re’s a splendid
bit on, I think, page two hundred and fifty-four
where the hero finds out all about Copyhold and Customary
Estates. It’s a wonderfully powerful situation.
It appears—but I won’t spoil it for you. Mind you don’t
skip to see how it all comes out in the end!” Sir Mallaby
suspended conversation while he addressed an imagi-