"But, father, you are not in earnest? I'd sooner die."
"Oh, no, people are not so ready to die. And pray what objection have you to my plan? I should suppose you would be glad to hide yourself somewhere."
"Not in a tan-vat!" said Perry. "Father, I don't like the business—that is my objection."
"Of course it is a coming down; but remember, you brought yourself down."
"But it is such dirty work."
"Afraid of dirt, eh? Perry, you are too proud for your present position. If I were you, I'd be thankful for any work that is respectable, and not mind if it is not as—"
"I'm not afraid of dirt, but I hate it; and as for pride, I'll prove to you it is not that, by doing any kind of clean work, even if it is sawing wood. But I never will go into Uncle John's tannery."
Mr. Morse repeated his cool "We shall see," and left the room. Mrs. Morse said—
"You'd better not oppose your father now. He feels your fall into sin very deeply. Perhaps he will be more yielding after a little while."
"It isn't so much the sin that he cares about as the disgrace," said Perry. "I tell you, mother, if I had not gone so far, it would have been all right. A gentleman tippler, a parlour gamester, a sharp money-getter—these pass muster."