"But, say, by all accounts you were a troublesome boy." "I was not all I might have been," replied Mr Ratman, beginning to wish this cross-examination was over.
"Put it that way, certainly.

You ran away, and left your mother, my sister, with a broken heart, I've heard say." "My father and I quarrelled, and I left home--yes." Here the tutor quitted the fire and came to where the two men sat.
"Excuse my interrupting you, sir," said he to the stranger, "but your conversation interests me.

The fact is, the Squire married a second time, and left a son, whose guardian I happen to be.

By the old man's will my ward is the heir.

You will allow I have a right to feel interested in this gentleman, who only discovered six months ago that he was the lost elder brother." The good American sat back in his chair and looked from Ratman to Armstrong, and from Armstrong back to Ratman, in a state of painful bewilderment.
"Now," said the tutor, "my ward feels a little curiosity about his elder brother--only natural, is it not ?--and I, as his legal guardian, naturally share that curiosity." "Why, certainly," said the Mayor, beginning to be interested.
Mr Ratman began to lose countenance, and fidgeted uncomfortably with the forks and spoons.
"I have heard a little of this gentleman's romantic career," continued the tutor, with his half-drawl.