"THE HUMBLE FRIEND." 89
" Serve him right. Why need he play Boswell unasked to
Caesar's Johnson ?"
 But if father would only see that Casar is a dreadful
brute, and have him put away in time to save Dash," she said
pleadingly.
 "Why, you cannot complain of our father's predilection,
when it is shared to so great an extent by your silly favourite,"
remonstrated Tot. "It is on the principle of Carlyle's ad-
miration of Frederick the Great, and of the present furor for
Bismarck," added Tot, who was fond of historical parallels.
"What do you mean by putting away?" he pressed Nelly
with pitiless directness. I have no patience with euphem-
isms, Nell. Say at once that you would have Caesar shot or
hanged, in order to protect Dash from the natural consequences
of his folly. Well, though I must say that is a queer kind of
justice, by way of mercy, too--"
 Oh not shot or hanged, Tot. You know I did not mean
that," exclaimed Nelly piteously, interrupting her brother;
" and you do not like Caesar yourself."
 I am perfectly aware that he is a truculent ruffian," said
Tot, composedly. He has grossly imposed on the governor.
I would see him despatched with all the pleasure in life- "
 I don't believe you," Nelly interrupted him again with
energy.
 Wait till I have finished my sentence," complained Tot.
" I was going to say that while I should have no objection to
Caesar's meeting his deserts, I really cannot recognize the pro-
priety of his falling a sacrifice to the stubborn idiotcy of Dash."
 Caesar was a truculent ruffian, with hardly a redeeming
trait; though, from his life as a chained-up watch-dog-which,
 M