JACK SHORT. 
189 
that learning only made them neglect their 
domestic concerns.” 
Sidney could hardly repress a smile, as he 
looked at Mrs. Short’s slatternly person and 
at the dirty, comfortless room, and contrasted 
both with the neat, economical and elegant 
housekeeping of Mrs. Crediton and the 
ladies whom he knew. 
“ I wish you’d get a cookery-book, mo¬ 
ther,” said Jack. “I mean to make you a 
present of one the first money I earn,” he 
added, seeing his mother look displeased; 
“ and then you will have a complete library 
according to grandfather’s notions.” 
“You had better try to pay a little of 
what’s been done for you,” retorted Mrs. 
Short, colouring. “A pretty return you 
make for all my care of you!—-just as soon 
as you get a little better, going and saying 
before strangers that you never have any 
thing fit to eat,—you ungrateful boy!” 
“I didn’t say so,” said Jack, sullenly. 
“You said just as much; and I should 
think you would be ashamed of yourself— 
that you should—making out that you never 
have any thing done for you, when I have 
been worked off’ my feet taking care of you! 
