y towards completing it. Consequently he used to have recourse to
Amos, who invariably helped him through with a loan--for Walter would
never receive help from his brother except as a loan--Amos at the same
time hinting now and then at the hope of a partial repayment. To this
Walter would reply that his brother should have it all back, if he
wished it, "one of these fine days;" but when such seasons of
exceptionally fine monetary weather were likely to occur, Amos found it
difficult to conjecture. A change, however, had now come over the elder
brother, much to the annoyance and disgust of Walter. A decided refusal
of a loan of money was accompanied by Amos with a remonstrance with his
brother on his extravagance.

In a pet, Walter told Amos that he might keep his nasty sovereigns and
shillings to buy toffee for dirty little boys and girls. He was much
obliged to him for his advice, but he knew his own concerns best; and as
for extravagance, it was better to put a little money into the
tradesmen's pockets than hoard it up like a stingy old miser, just to
have the pleasure of saying, "See how rich I am."

To all this Amos made no reply at the time, but afterwards sent his
brother a portion of the sum he wished to borrow, with a kind note, in
which he said that Walter was welcome to this and to all other sums
previously lent, as a free gift, but that for the future he could not
lend him money beyond a few shillings occasionally, as he had a use for
his own funds which made him unable to do for his brother what he had
done for him in times past.

Partly touched at Amos's generosity, but more vexed at his present
purpose respecting future loans, Walter was not disposed to look with a
very favourable eye on his brother's money arrangements. What could he
be wanting with so much? What could he be doing with it? There was
nothing to show for it. If he had spent it in guns, or horses, or dogs,
or travelling, or sight-seeing, Walter could have better acquiesced in
the expenditure. But the money seemed to be wanted for something which,
as far as he could see, turned out to be nothing. So his curiosity was
considerably roused, and he resolved to find out, if he could, where his
brother's spare cash went to.

Things were in this position, when one evening, as the whole family were
seated on the lawn under some noble elms, enjoying the shade--for the
weather had been exceedingly hot--a gentleman, well-known throughout t