Prev | Current Page 362 | Next

McCutcheon, George Barr, 1866-1928

"Mr. Bingle"

Don't be so infernally proud and self-satisfied. It
wouldn't be charity. It would be justice. Now, see here, I've argued
this thing with you for three months or more and I'm getting tired of
your everlasting serenity. I know you are hard put to find enough
money to clothe and feed these kids, besides buying what your wife may
need. You are beginning to look shabby and you certainly are thinner
and greyer. What you ought to do, Bingle, is to turn those kids over
to a Home of some sort and settle down to a normal way of living.
Winter is coming on. You will have a devil of a time providing for ten
small children and a sick wife on the salary you are getting here.
Now, for heaven's sake, old fellow, take my advice. Get rid of 'em.
You owe it to your wife, Bingle. She ought--"
"I owe it to my wife to take care of them alone, now that she is
unable to do her part," said Mr. Bingle simply. "We took them as
partners, so to speak. She is unable to manage her share of the
liability. Well, I'll do her part for her, Mr. Force, so long as I'm
able.


Pages:
350 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 374