`Why, what goods to you carry in your pack?' said Mrs Glegg. `Fine-coloured things, I suppose, shawls an' that.'
`All sorts, mum, all sorts,' said Bob, thumping his bundle, `but let us say no more about that, if you please. I'm here upo' Mr Tom's business an' I'm not the man to take up the time wi' my own.'
`And pray, what is this business as is to be kept from me?' said Mrs Glegg, who, solicited by a double curiosity, was obliged to let the one half wait.
`A little plan o' nevvy Tom's here,' said good-natured Mr Glegg; `and not altogether a bad un, I think. A little plan for making money that's the right sort o' plan for young folks as have got their fortin to make, eh, Jane?'
`But I hope it isn't a plan where he expects iverything to be done for him by his friends - that's what the young folks think of mostly nowadays. And pray, what has this pack-man got to do wi' what goes on in our family? Can't you speak for yourself Tom, and let your aunt know things, as a nevvy should?'
`This is Bob Jakin, aunt,' said Tom, bridling the irritation that aunt Glegg's voice always produced. `I've known him ever since we were little boys. He's a very good fellow, and always ready to do me a kindness. And he has had some experience in sending goods out - a small part of a cargo as a private speculation; and he thinks if I could begin to do a little in the same way, I might make some money. A large interest is got in that way.'
`Large int'rest?' said aunt Glegg, with eagerness, `and what do you call large int'rest?'
`Ten or twelve per cent,' Bob says, `after expenses are paid.'
`Then why wasn't I let to know o' such things before, Mr Glegg?' said Mrs Glegg, turning to her husband, with a deep grating tone of reproach. `Haven't you allays told me as there was no getting more nor five per cent.'
`Pooh, pooh, nonsense, my good woman,' said Mr Glegg. `You couldn't go into trade, could you? You can't get more than five per cent with security.'
`But I can turn a bit o' money for you, an' welcome, mum,' said Bob, `if you'd like to risk it - not as there's any risk to speak on. But if you'd a mind to lend a bit o' money to Mr Tom, he'd pay you six or seven per zent an' get a trifle for himself as well an' a good-natur'd lady like you 'ud like the feel o' the money better if your nevvy took part on it.'
`What do you say, Mrs G.?' said Mr Glegg. `I've a notion, when I've made a bit more inquiry, as I shall perhaps start Tom here with a bit of a nest-egg - he'll pay me int'rest, you know - an' if you've got some little sums lyin' idle twisted up in a stockin' toe, or that... '
`Mr Glegg, it's beyond iverything! You'll go and give information to the tramps next, as they may come and rob me.'
`Well, well, as I was sayin', if you like to join me wi' twenty pounds, you can - I'll make it fifty. That'll be a pretty good nest-egg - eh, Tom?'
`You're not counting on me, Mr Glegg, I hope,' said his wife. `You could do fine things wi' my money, I don't doubt.' `Very well,' said Mr Glegg, rather snappishly, `then we'll do without you. I shall go with you to see this Salt,' he added, turning to Bob.
`And now, I suppose, you'll go all the other way, Mr Glegg,' said Mrs G., `and want to shunt me out o' my own nevvy's business. I never said I wouldn't put money into it - I don't say as it shall be twenty pounds,