It would be too dangerous." "Please yourself," said Ezra, with a sneer.

"You've got us into the mess and you must take us out again.

If the worst comes to the worst I'll tell you what I'll do.

I'll marry Kate Harston, wash my hands of the firm, leave you to settle matters with the creditors, and retire with the forty thousand pounds;" with which threat the junior partner took up his hat and swaggered out of the office.
After his departure, John Girdlestone spent an hour in anxious thought, arranging the details of the scheme which he had just submitted to his son.

As he sat, his eye chanced to fall upon the two letters lying on his desk, and it struck him that they had better be attended to.