"
"What have I done to deserve so much goodwill? I have done you nothing
but harm?" Again he was quite overcome.
George patted him gently on the hand, and said, "You made a bet and you
won it. During the very short time that we can be together, you shall be
paid in full, and may heaven protect us both."
As soon as my father could speak he said, "But how did your mother find
out that I was in Erewhon?"
"Hanky and Panky were dining with her, and they told her some things that
she thought strange. She cross-questioned them, put two and two
together, learned that you had got their permit out of them, saw that you
intended to return on Friday, and concluded that you would be sleeping in
Sunch'ston. She sent for me, told me all, bade me scour Sunch'ston to
find you, intending that you should be at once escorted safely over the
preserves by me. I found your inn, but you had given us the slip. I
tried first Fairmead and then Clearwater, but did not find you till this
morning. For reasons too long to repeat, my mother warned Hanky and
Panky that you would be in the temple; whereon Hanky tried to get you
into his clutches. Happily he failed, but if I had known what he was
doing I should have arrested you before the service. I ought to have
done this, but I wanted you to win your wager, and I shall get you safely
away in spite of them.
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