"
"I know, if you had it, and didn't lend it nor speculate with it, you
couldn't lose it."
"Now, ducky, don't interfere. You take care of babies nicely. Let me
manage my own affairs."
"You always treat me like a child that has to be petted with
sugar-plums."
"That's because you are a child. What the devil does a woman know about
business?"
The "ducky" cried a little, and was quite sure that John would go on and
risk what he had, till he lost all.
"Little woman, none of your blubbering! It annoys me. Am I to be
harassed by business all day, and have no peace when I come home?"
He settled himself to read the papers, once more, and the wife picked up
the fretful, puny infant, and retreated to the kitchen, where she could
indulge her sorrow without rebuke or interruption.
Presently, Bullion entered, though not unexpected; for he had given
Fletcher an intimation, that, in order to have a private interview, he
would endeavor to see him at home.
"Nice little box," said the capitalist, looking around. "Any babies?"
"One," said Fletcher.
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