CHAPTER X
MR. DEAN PROVIDES FOR THE FUTURE
“Oh, yes,” said Mr. Dean when Wallace announced himself. “Sit down, Wallace. You’re going, David? Then we may consider the matter settled?”
“If you’re sure you really want it so.”
“I’m sure. Good-bye.”
As David passed out, Wallace was still standing by the door, embarrassed, with downcast eyes. He had given David no greeting and seemed to desire none. Such evidence of his bitterness shadowed David’s happiness—shadowed it, but not for long. How could he help being happy? The sacrifice that he had been prepared to make was unnecessary; the friend who was helping him was a friend whom he knew and loved and understood, not one who in all essentials was a remote stranger. The only disappointment involved in the discovery was his loss of the vague belief that Dr. Wallace had chosen generously to testify his professional admiration for an unappreciated confrère. And that disappointment was balanced by satisfaction in Mr. Dean’s declaration that he had been actuated by his liking for David’s father as well as for David himself.
How splendid it was of Mr. Dean! And then David thought how thrilled and excited his mother would be at learning the unexpected solution of the mystery. He began a letter to her as soon as he reached his room; he had not finished it when Wallace stood in his doorway.
“Hello, Lester!” David could not quite keep the note of surprise out of his voice. “Come in and sit down.”
Wallace closed the door quietly behind him and dropped into a chair.
“I’ve just told Mr. Dean of my cribbing in the examination. I decided it was the only thing to do.”