‘As for the boy, ‘ said Squire Pope, with his usual autocratic air, ‘I shall place him in the poorhouse.”But, Benjamin, ‘ said gentle Mrs. Pope, who had a kindly and sympathetic heart, ‘isn’t that a little hard?”Hard, Almira?’ said the squire, arching his eyebrows. ‘I fail to comprehend your meaning.”You know Philip has been tenderly reared, and has always had a comfortable home—”He will have a comfortable home now, Mrs. Pope. Probably you are not aware that it cost the town two thousand dollars last year to maintain the almshouse. I can show you the item in the town report.”I don’t doubt it at all, husband, ‘ said Mrs. Pope gently. ‘Of course you know all about it, being a public man.’Squire Pope smiled complacently. It pleased him to be spoken of as a public man.’Ahem! Well, yes, I believe I have no inconsiderable influence in town affairs, ‘ he responded. ‘I am on the board of selectmen, and am chairman of the overseers of the poor, …
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