"Not if you were to multiply it by ten."
The editor considered before he spoke again. "Come, here's an offer for you. I will take you into partnership. You see the value I place upon your services. I'm dealing fair and square."
"You offer me more than I deserve, more than I accept. Nothing can tempt me to remain. I must leave Princetown; I must leave the colony. I am called home suddenly and imperatively. You have been a good friend to me; continue so, I beg, and release me at once. You talk of going home some day yourself. If all goes well with me we may meet in the old land and renew our friendship. You know me well enough, I trust, to be convinced that I would not desire to leave you so abruptly without some strong necessity. If you compel me to remain----"
"Oh! you admit that I can compel you?"
"The obligation is binding upon me, and if you insist upon my giving you a month's notice it must be done, in honour. I cannot break my word."
"There speaks the gentleman," thought the editor, and gazed with admiration at the pleader. "But you will be doing me," continued Basil, "an injury that may be irreparable. The delay may ruin my life, and the life of another very dear to me."
"I am a dunderhead," thought the editor. "There's a young lady mixed up in this." Aloud: "I should be sorry to do that; put you see the fix you place me in."
"It grieves me. I beg you to give me back my word."
"It comes so sudden. Why did you not tell me before?"
"Because I knew of nothing that called for my hasty departure until last night."