"However," said his father, "I shall overlook what has passed." Now came the sop he had planned to throw to Bonbright.
"You have been in the office long enough to learn something of the business, so I shall give you work of greater interest and responsibility…. You say, ridiculously enough, that you have been a rubber stamp. Common sense should have told you you were competent to carry no great responsibilities at first…. But you shall take over a part of my burden now…. However, one thing must come first. Before we go any farther, your mother and I must have your promise that you will discontinue whatever relations you have with this boarding-house keeper's daughter, this companion of anarchists and disturbers."
"I have insisted upon THAT," said Mrs. Foote. "I will not tolerate such an affair."
"There is no AFFAIR," said Bonbright, finding his voice. His young eyes began to glow angrily. "What right have you to suppose such a thing—just because Miss Frazer happens to be a stenographer and because her mother keeps a boarder! Father insulted her yesterday. That caused the trouble. I couldn't let it pass, even from him. I can't let it pass from you, mother."
"Oh, undoubtedly she's worthy enough," said Mr. Foote, who had exchanged a glance with his wife during Bonbright's outburst, as much as to say, "There is a serious danger here."
"Worthy enough!" said Bonbright, anger now burning with white heat.
"But," said his father, "worthy or not worthy, we cannot have our son's name linked in any way with a person of her class. It must stop, and stop at once."
"That you must understand distinctly," said Mrs. Foote.
"Stop!" said Bonbright, hoarsely. "It sha'n't stop, now or ever. That's what I came home to tell you…. I'm not a dumb beast, to be driven where you want to drive me. I'm a human being. I have a right to make my own friends and to live my own life…. I have a right to love where I want to—and to marry the girl I love…. You tried to pick out a wife for me…. Well, I've picked out my own. Whether you approve or not doesn't change it. Nobody, nothing can change it…. I love Ruth Frazer and I'm going to marry her. That's what I came home to tell you."
"What?" said his father, in a tone of one who listens to blasphemy.