Horatio Alger

“ I've told you more than once, ma, that you must never call me anything but Philip."
"It is hard to have to keep silent always, never to speak to you as my own boy. I begin to think it is a dear price to pay, Jonas." ”

“ Brent and make her think I know something. You see?"
"Do as you think best, Aggie. I told her wouldn't take a dismissal from her.
Mrs. Brent was in her own room. She was not a woman who easily forgave, and she was provoked with Dan, who had defied her authority. She knew very well that in dismissing him she had wholly exceeded her authority, but this, as may readily be supposed, did not make her feel any more friendly to the young gardener. Jonas artfully led her indignation.
"Dan doesn't have much respect for you, mother," he said. "He doesn't mind you any more than he does a kitchen-girl." ”

“ He has been impertinent to Master Philip, and afterward to me."
"I know all about it, ma'am. He told me."
"Then you understand why he must leave. He will do well to be more respectful in his next place."
"It wasn't his fault, ma'am, accordin' to what he told me."
"No doubt!" sneered Mrs. Brent. "It is hardly likely that he would admit himself to be in fault."
"Dan's a good, truthful boy, ma'am."
"What did he tell you?"
The moment had come for Aggie's master-stroke, and she fixed her eyes keenly on Mrs. Brent to watch the effect of her words. ”