“I feel that I have got to strike out, and at once, Uncle Larimy, but I don’t just know where to strike.”
“Wal, Dave, it’s what we’ve all got to find out fer ourselves. It’s a leap in the dark like, and ef you don’t land nowhere, take another leap, and keep a-goin’ somewhar.”
David wended his way homeward, pondering over Uncle Larimy’s philosophy. When he went with Barnabas to do the milking that night he broached the subject of leaving the farm.
“I know how Jud feels about my being here, Uncle Barnabas.”
“What did he say to you?” asked the old man anxiously.
“Nothing. I overheard a part of your conversation. He is right. And if I stay here, he will run away to sea. He told the fellows in Lafferton he would.” 131
“You are going to stay, Dave.”
“You won’t like to think you drove your son away. If he gets into trouble, both you and I will feel we are to blame.”
“Dave, I see why the Jedge hez got it all cut out fer you to be a lawyer. You’ve got the argyin’ habit strong. But you can’t argue me into what I see is wrong. This is the place fer you to be, and Jud ’ll hev to come outen his spell.”
“Then let me go away until he does. You must give him every chance.”