“Never mind who told us,” said Ben. “We know it is true.”
“And you went to that lawyer, eh?” stormed 70 Professor Haskers. “You got him to threaten a suit, didn’t you? I got his letter only this afternoon.”
“We went to no lawyer,” answered Phil.
“I know better! I see it all now! You want to get me into trouble—to disgrace me here!” Job Haskers began to pace the floor. “It is—er—a mistake. I meant to pay that lady but it—er—slipped my mind. And the book has been issued, but the publishers have not—er—seen fit to push it, that is why you and the world at large have not heard of it.”
“Mr. Haskers, we haven’t told anybody about this,” went on Phil, pointedly. “You can settle with that lawyer, whoever he may be,—and we’ll not say a word to anybody—that is, providing you’ll give us a fair chance in our lessons.”
“Ha! maybe you wish me to pass you without an examination,” cried the teacher, cunningly.
“No, sir!” answered Phil, stoutly.
“We simply ask for more time, that is all,” added Ben. “We don’t ask any favor. We can make up the lessons if you will give us as much time as the other teachers would give us.”
“You have not told anybody of this—this—er—affair of Mrs. Breen?”
“No.”