Frank is a compound of
negatives--and there they are."
"Hang your negatives!" shouted Mr. Vanstone. "I don't care a rush
for negatives, or affirmatives either. Frank shall have this splendid
chance; and I'll lay you any wager you like he makes the best of it."
"I am not rich enough to lay wagers, usually," replied Mr. Clare; "but
I think I have got a guinea about the house somewhere; and I'll lay you
that guinea Frank comes back on our hands like a bad shilling."
"Done!" said Mr. Vanstone. "No: stop a minute! I won't do the lad's
character the injustice of backing it at even money. I'll lay you five
to one Frank turns up trumps in this business! You ought to be ashamed
of yourself for talking of him as you do. What sort of hocus-pocus you
bring it about by, I don't pretend to know; but you always end in making
me take his part, as if I was his father instead of you. Ah yes! give
you time, and you'll defend yourself. I won't give you time; I won't
have any of your special pleading. Black's white according to you.
I don't care: it's black for all that. You may talk nineteen to the
dozen--I shall write to my friend and say Yes, in Frank's interests, by
to-day's post.
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