It will not buy taste or the finer feelings,
without the possession of which one becomes a dolt, a thing that creeps
about the face of the world. I thank you for your offer, professor, and
Mr. Bomford, but I have nothing to sell. If you would excuse me!"
He half rose from his chair but Mr. Cowper thrust him back again.
"We have not finished yet, my dear Mr. Burton," he said eagerly. "You
are making up your mind too hastily."
"A thousand pounds," Mr. Bomford repeated, condescendingly, "is a very
useful sum. Those peculiar gifts of yours may vanish. Take the advice
of a business man. Remember that you will still have two or three beans
left. It is only one we ask for. I want to put the matter on as broad
a basis as possible. We make our appeal on behalf of the cause of
science. You must not refuse us." Burton rose to his feet determinedly.
"Not only do I refuse," he said, "but it is not a matter which I am
inclined to discuss any longer. I am sorry if you are disappointed, but
my story was really told to Mr. Cowper here in confidence." He left
them both sitting there. He found Edith in a corner of the long
drawing-room. She was pretending to read.
"Whatever is the matter?" she asked.
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