There was a defiant ring in the last sentence, though he knew in his heart that his cause was lost.
The doctor looked up long enough to say:
"Oh, Frederik, you're back again, are you?" then went on with his writing.
Frederik glanced furtively around the shadowy room, and then lighted some candles in an effort to make the place more cheerful. Suddenly his eye was riveted on the telegram resting conspicuously on his uncle's desk. On the very spot, so it happened, where he had burned Anne Marie's letter. He put down his cigarette quickly.
"Is that telegram for me?" he asked in an eager tone.
"Yes," snorted Dr. McPherson.
"Oh——" Frederik said. "It will explain perhaps why I—I've been kept waiting at the hotel—I had an appointment to meet a man who wanted to buy this business."
"Ha!" The doctor grunted indignantly.
Frederik cleared his throat.
"I may as well tell you—I'm thinking of selling out root and branch."