Part 36 (1/2)
”What! I beg your pardon?” exclaimed Philip, haughtily.
”That is what I said.”
”Do you think I would demean myself by asking anybody's pardon?”
demanded Philip, his pride getting the better of his prudence.
”That is exactly what I expect, Philip Ross. If I had played such a mean trick on any one, I should think it no more than right to do just that thing.”
”No,” said Philip, stubbornly; ”I won't do that, but I will give you the two dollars.”
”I don't want your two dollars,” returned Harry, contemptuously.
Two dollars was not so large a sum in his eyes as it would have been the day previous, for in the last twenty-four hours he had earned, and was confident of receiving, a reward of two hundred and fifty dollars.
Still, even if this had not been the case, he would have disdained to sell his a.s.sistance to Philip.
”The money will do you a great deal more good than my asking your pardon,” argued Philip.
”No, it won't. I am not very much in need of money, but I won't help a boy who has acted toward me as you have, unless you will apologize.”
”Don't be a fool! Come and help me, and the money will be yours.”
”It is no use, Philip; my mind is made up. Will you apologize?”
”No.”
”Then, good-day! Give my respects to Mr. Temple when he returns.”
So saying, Harry turned to leave the cabin, and Philip's heart sank in dismay as he saw the only one from whom he could hope for help leaving his presence.
”Hold on!” he called out. ”I'll give you five dollars! I haven't got it with me, but I can get it from my father. I'll hand it to you to-morrow.”
Philip hated to humble his pride, and he would rather have paid five dollars, even if it came out of his own pocket, than submit to such a humiliation.
”Good-by, Philip,” said Harry, resolutely.
”Are you really going to leave me? That's mean.”
”You know the condition on which I'll help you.”
”I'll give you ten dollars!” exclaimed Philip, desperately.
”Not a cent! I won't take a cent from you! Either I will help you or leave you here, but no money shall pa.s.s between us.”
There was a calm resolution in Harry's tone which at last convinced Philip that he was in earnest.
”What do you want me to say?” he asked, sullenly.
”That you are sorry for the mean trick you played on me, and ask my pardon.”