He wanted her to believe in his power to
retain all the wealth he had won. He would take her into his
confidence. He had never done this with relation to his business, and
under that treatment she had drifted away from him. Now that he found
how thoroughly friendly she was, he would try another method, and bind
her to him. The lady read him as plainly as if he had been a book, and
said:
"Oh, General! I have ascertained something that may be of use to you.
Mr. Benedict is living. I had a letter from his boy this morning--dear
little fellow--and he tells me how well his father is, and how pleasant
it is to be with him again."
Mr. Belcher frowned.
"Do you know I can't quite stomach your whim--about that boy? What under
heaven do you care for him?"
"Oh, you mustn't touch that whim, General," said Mrs. Dillingham,
laughing. "I am a woman, and I have a right to it. He amuses me, and a
great deal more than that. I wouldn't tell you a word about him, or what
he writes to me, if I thought it would do him any harm. He's my pet.
What in the world have I to do but to pet him? How shall I fill my time?
I'm tired of society, and disgusted with men--at least, with my old
acquaintances--and I'm fond of children.
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