"
"You say you will procure me a farm. Now, uncle, there is one thing
I should wish in connection with that transaction, which is, that you
would have no underhand--hem!--no private understanding of any kind with
Mr. Hycy Burke."
"Me a private understanding with Hycy Burke! What in the devil's name
has put such a crotchet as that into your head?"
"I only speak as I do, because I believe you have received a private
communication from him."
"Have I, faith! If so I am obliged to you--but I am simply ignorant of
the fact you mention; for, with my own knowledge', I never received a
line from him in my life."
"Then I must be wrong," replied Harry; "that is all."
"Wrong! Certainly you are wrong. Hycy Burke, I am told, is a compound
of great knave and gross fool, the knavery rather prevailing. But how is
this? Are not you and he inseparable?"
"He is a companion, uncle, but not a friend in the true sense--nor,
indeed, in any sense of that word. I spoke now, however, with reference
to a particular transaction, and not to his general character."
"Well, then, I have no underhand dealings with him, as you are pleased
to call them, nor ever had. I never to my knowledge received a line from
him in my life; but I tell you that if he comes in my way, and that I
can make use of him, I will. Perhaps he may serve us in the Elections.
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