Page 96 - Fairbrass

have jolly times, and the ^500 could be—as

it ought to be— paid back at once. If only
that reconciliation could be brought about!'

f Yes,* laughed the Money Fiend, ‘ u if
o n l y That’s where the trouble comes in—
li if only.” ' And then he nearly choked

himself with another and deeper chuckle.

To Fairbrass, as Sunday after Sunday
he watched his grandfather at church, the
difficulty did not seem to be one that could

not be got over. The old man had no doubt

a hard face, and a stern, determined look ;
but then he appeared to be gradually getting
so feeble, and he always seemed so lonely,

that the boy thought that if he were only
approached in the right way he would melt

like the snow melted in his own warm little
hand. But then, when he looked at the

firm features of his self-willed though kind-
hearted father, he felt that any such approach

from him was impossible, 1 If I could only
speak,1 thought Fairbrass, ‘ I would boldly

take the matter in my own hands, and sec if
I could not bring them together ; but* alas !