“May I go up to that place where I slept last night?”
Helen glanced at her father, who nodded shortly, and went on with his dinner, while the required permission being given by Helen, the boy rose hastily, and hurried out of the room.
Doctor Grayson was silent for a few minutes, and then he took a glass of sherry.
“A young scoundrel!” he said. “It’s not pleasant to have to say so, but I’ve made a mistake.”
“And are you going to give up your project, papa?” said Helen.
“No,” he thundered. “Certainly not. It’s very awkward, for that bullet-headed drill-sergeant Hippetts will laugh at me, and say ‘I told you so,’ but I shall have to take the boy back.”
Helen was silent.
“He told me I should,” he continued; “but I would not believe him. The young dog’s face attracted me. He looked so frank and ingenuous. But I’ll soon pick out another. My theory is right, and if I have ten thousand obstacles, I’ll carry it out, and prove to the world that I knew what I was at.”
Helen went on slowly with her lunch, thinking deeply the while.
“Well?” said the doctor angrily, “why don’t you speak? Are you triumphing over my first downfall!”