" And in particular, which his
good mother used to say she prized above all the rest, he had
caused his own portraiture be limned over the mantlepiece by a
skilful hand. And, in good faith, there he remained still,
having much the visage which I was disposed to ascribe to him on
the evidence of his handwriting,--grim and austere, yet not
without a cast of shrewdness and determination; in armour, though
he never wore it, I fancy; one hand on an open book, and one
resting on the hilt of his sword, though I dare say his head
never ached with reading, nor his limbs with fencing.
"That picture is painted on the wood, madam," said I.
"Ay, sir, or it's like it would not have been left there; they
look a' they could."
"Mr. Treddles's creditors, you mean?" said I.
"Na," replied she dryly, "the creditors of another family, that
sweepit cleaner than this poor man's, because I fancy there was
less to gather."
"An older family, perhaps, and probably more remembered and
regretted than later possessors?"
Christie here settled herself in her seat, and pulled her wheel
towards her.
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