“Tell me in your own way all about this quarrel—give me all the details, and do not attempt to hide anything.”
Herbert told everything clearly and quickly. As he concluded his father nodded his head as if to indicate that he understood and then sighed deeply. Herbert noticed this, and said with trembling voice:
“You believe me, don’t you?”
“I do.”
“Don’t you think I did right?”
“I do.”
“But why are you so sad?”
“Because I regret this thing very much—because I am sorry you quarreled with Arthur Black.”
“But you said I was justified.”
“I did; but unfortunately you have offended a powerful man. I suppose you are old enough to understand these things. John Black, Arthur’s father, is not only the richest man in Cleverly, but he is the president of the bank, and I—I owe him money.”