"Rent!" Mr. Underwood ejaculated, now thoroughly angry; "what do I want of rent from you? Can't you let me be a friend to you? Time and time again I've tried to help you and you wouldn't have it. Now I'll give you warning, young man, that one of these days you'll go a little too far in this thing, and then you'll have to look somewhere else for friends, for when I'm done with a man, I'm done with him forever!"
"Mr. Underwood," said Darrell, with dignity, "you are yourself going too far at this moment. You know I do not refuse favors from you personally. Do I not consider your home mine? Have I ever offered you compensation for anything that you or your sister have done for me? But this is a different affair altogether."
"Different! I'd like to know wherein."
"Mr. Underwood, if, in addition to your other kindnesses, you personally offered me the use of this room gratis, I might accept it; but I will accept no favors from the firm of Underwood & Walcott."
"Humph! I don't see what difference that need make!" Mr. Underwood retorted.
He sat silently studying Darrell for a few moments, but the latter's face was as unreadable as his own.
"What have you got against that fellow?" he asked at length, curiously.
"I have nothing whatever against him, Mr. Underwood."
"But you're not friendly to him."