Part 13 (2/2)
The Colonel cleared his throat.
”Here! Here! Get a move on you--what's the matter--I'm in a hurry!”
”This is your father, Norman----”
”Get off the wire or quit your kiddin'--what do you want?”
His father laughed.
”I beg your pardon, Governor, honestly I didn't recognize your voice until you laughed. I'm awfully glad to hear it again. What can I do for you?”
”Well, I must say I like your impudence. What can _you_ do for me? I want to see you right away. Shall I call at your office?”
A pause ensued, followed by audible smiles at both ends of the wire.
”Of course not, sir. It seems a long time since I left home but I've not forgotten the way. I'll come over as soon as I can leave my desk.”
Two hours later he entered the library with a boyish laugh and grasped his father's hand.
The Colonel pressed it with deep tenderness.
”You must forgive me, boy. I wasn't fair to you the other day.”
Norman tried to laugh, and stammered awkwardly:
”Well, when I hear a man of your age and experience say a thing like that, Governor, I begin to fear I'm not quite as big as I thought I was.”
”Then we're both in the right mind now, to begin all over again, are we not?”
”It's with you, sir,” was the quick reply.
”Suppose I can convince you that you have entered on a mistaken mission--that your programme is foolish, impossible, and dangerous?”
”Do it, and I'll join you in trying to put an end to Socialism.”
”Before I begin, let me ask you a very personal question.”
”As many as you like, Governor,” was the frank response.
”Are you mixed up in any way personally with the young woman who spoke here that day?”
”We're comrades in the cause of humanity--that's all.”
”You're sure that it is not her personal influence over you that has made you a Socialist?”
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