He spoke hurriedly of the money he had received, and hinted, suggested, made an embarrassed offer.
Impossible not to remark the gleam of joy that came into Alexander's eyes; though he vehemently, almost angrily, declared such a thing impossible, it was plain he quivered to accept.

And in the end accept he did--a round fifty pounds.

A loan, strictly a loan, of course, the most binding legal instrument should be given in acknowledgment of the debt; interest should be paid at the rate of three and a half per cent.
per annum--not a doit less! And just when this was settled, Bridget came back again, the sleepless baby at her breast.
"He wants to have his share of the good company," she exclaimed.

"And why shouldn't he, bless um!" Alexander grew glorious.

It was one of his peculiarities that, when he had drunk more than enough, he broke into noisy patriotism.
"Piers, have you ever felt grateful enough for being born an Englishman?
I've seen the world, and I know; the Englishman is the top of creation.