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"I've a further report to make", I said, "and a pretty long one. I
want you to let me come soon, and tell you my whole month's story in
detail; and I promise you it's worth hearing. Meantime, look at that".
"What, man! Certificate of deposit for £ 1,000,000? Is it
yours?"
"Mine, I earned it by thirty days' use of that little loan you let
me have. And the only use I made of it was to buy trifles and offer the
bill in change."
"Well, it's unbelievable, man!"
"Never mind. I'll prove it. Don't take my word for it."
Portia's eyes opened wide in surprise, and she said:
"Henry, is that really your money? Have you been lying to
me?"
"I have indeed, darling. But you'll forgive me, I know. Come,
let's go".
"But wait, wait! The job. I want to give you the job," said my
man.
"Well," I said, "I'm just as grateful as I can be, but really I don't
want one".
"But you can have the very best in my power to give you."
"Thanks again, with all my heart; but I don't even want that
one."
"Henry, I'm ashamed of you. You don't thank the good
gentleman properly. May I do it for you?"
"All right, dear, if you can do it better than I."
She walked to my man, sat down on his lap, put her arm round
his neck, and kissed him right on the mouth. Then the two gentlemen
shouted with laughter, but I was voiceless. Portia said:
"Father, he has said you haven't a situation in your power that
he would take; and I feel just as hurt as —"
"Darling! Is that your father?"
"Yes, he's my stepfather. You understand now, don't you, why I
was able to laugh when you told me what trouble and worry papa's
and Uncle Abel's scheme was giving you?"
Of course, I now went straight to the point.
"Oh, my dearest dear sir, I want to take back what I said. You
have a job that I want.”
"Name it."
"Son in law."