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Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1887. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VIII. DURING their walk that afternoon Arthur confided to Philip his dissatisfaction with Smilie. On returning home, Philip repeated Arthur''s observations to Mr. Berner, not with the intention of making mischief, but merely stating them as a fact. Mrs. Berner had been urging on her husband the advisability of giving Arthur notice to quit, as they had received two further offers of pupils who were willing to pay the full amount demanded. If Arthur remained, they had only accommodation for one; it was therefore to their interest to make him decamp. Mr. Berner gladly seized the pretext of the complaint about Smilie to give Arthur to understand that they wished him to leave. Like most weak men, he required spurring before he could summon spirit to make an attack, but once fairly on his way he could be quarrelsome and disagreeable. When he sent the message to ask Arthur down, he was preparing himself for the fight, and his whole nervous system was in a flurry, although his wife was present to give him support if necessary. He wanted her to undertake the distasteful task, but this she declined to do. She always desired him to stand to the fore, and, though he would not do so of his own accord, he generally, after some hesitation, carried out her instructions, if not with energy, at least with fidelity. But the effort involved in so doing made him snappish and irritable. On Arthur entering the room, he began with the courage of desperation -- I am surprised, Mr. Challoner; I am really very surprised. At what, pray? asked Arthur. At the very unexpected information I have received-- Arthur thought Mr. Berner had heard the intelligence of his accession to fortune, and so he replied -- I am sure no one was more surprised than myself. What do you mean? said Mr...
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