Part 3 (2/2)
”Dieu!” criedruefully at his lapel Soray satin
”Another coat ruined,” he observed, and the raillery was gone fro is well along, and bed time is nearly here One coat torn in the braht, quite right in telling you Indeed, I should have done the same myself The truth first, ain to his coat
”I told him I did not believe it,” I ventured, but the appeal in my voice, if there was any, passed him quite unnoticed
”Indeed?” he said ”Brutus, you will put an extra blanket on ”
I pushed back my chair
”And now, you will excuse me” I said, ”if I take my leave”
I rose a trifle unsteadily, and stood before hier and contempt But apparently I had ceased to be of interest He was sitting just as I had first seen hi into the eer I felt a vague regret, a touch of pity--pity for a life that asted in spite of its possibilities, in boasting and blackguardry I began hoping that he would speak, would argue or re, only sat serenely indifferent, his eyes still on the fire
Stepping around the debris that filled the room, I had placed my hand on the latch, when I heard a stealthy footstep behind lass falling on the hearth I turned to seeone froh ready to spring through the space that separated us
”No doubt,” he said, drawing a deep breath, ”you are leaving this house because you cannot bear to stay under the same roof with a man of my stamp and accomplishments Come, is that the reason?”
”Only partly,” I answered, turning to face hiue, hot and bitter, before I had wit to check theht have I to be particular, now that I have found out my inheritance? Why should I pick my company? Why should I presume to hold my head up? I can only be blessed now, sir, like the rest of the meek”
I paused to let my final words sink in, and because I knew they would hurt him, I spoke them with an added satisfaction
”I shall start at once to acquire merit which the ize to the ht with because he called you a cheat--and tohis word”
My father's fist came down on the table with a crash
”Then, by God,” he shouted, ”you'll not leave this roole step until you've learned two things, learned theet Stand where you are and listen!”
IV
I reone, that he had vanished whileme to face someone else Then, as I stared at hiht died out of his eyes, his lips relaxed, and his hand went up to arrange the lace at his throat
”Shun my example,” he said, ”shudder at the life I have led Call erous company Say that in every way I'm unfit to be your father--say that I'ree with you I will teach you that your judgment is correct Let us only set two limits and do not call the more They--”
The sound at the knocker on the front door broke into my father's speech and stilled it In the pause, while the echoes died away, he shrugged his shoulders negligently, and settled hihed, ”allowa man of affairs They will never adjust theentle--show them in at once And you,is young yet”
”Where are you, Shelton?” came a sharp, authoritative voice froe”
”Open the door, Henry,” entle to remove his hat, strode over to my father's chair The other stood undecided near the threshold, until Brutus closed the door behind hiave first one and then the other, the ilance of the disinterested observer