I made a contribution and a stipulation. Ernest wanted to sink the
gentleman completely, until such time as he could work his way up
again. If he had been left to himself he would have lived with Ellen
in the shop back parlour and kitchen, and have let out both the
upper floors according to his original programme. I did not want
him, however, to cut himself adrift from music, letters, and polite
life, and feared that unless he had some kind of den into which he
could retire he would ere long become the tradesman and nothing
else. I therefore insisted on taking the first floor front and back
myself, and furnishing them with the things which had been left at
Mrs. Jupp's. I bought these things of him for a small sum and had them
moved into his present abode.
I went to Mrs. Jupp's to arrange all this, as Ernest did not like
going to Ashpit Place. I had half expected to find the furniture
sold and Mrs. Jupp gone, but it was not so; with all her faults the
poor old woman was perfectly honest.
I told her that Pryer had taken all Ernest's money and run away with
it. She hated Pryer. "I never knew anyone," she exclaimed, "as
white-livered in the face as that Pryer; he hasn't got an upright vein
in his whole body.
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