“Oh, no, uncle—” began the boy.
“Silence, sir!” thundered the old man. “Hear me out. I say it is so, and I know. You resent my holding the tether longer, but you are too young yet to fly unheld. I have my duty to do for your mother’s sake and for yours. I must have time to think out my plans, but in the meantime prepare yourself to go to some school or institution for a year or two before entering upon your profession.”
“But, uncle!”
“That will do, sir,” said the old man, sternly. “You have struck your blow against my authority, and this painful episode in my life must end.”
“If you’d only let me speak, uncle!” cried the boy, passionately.
“I begged of you to speak, sir,” said the old man, coldly. “I ordered you to speak; but in each case you refused. Well, now then, tell me simply—I ask again on principle—why did you fight those boys?”
Aleck set his teeth and hung his head.
“That will do,” said the old man, in deep, husky tones. “Go to your room and get rid of as much of the traces of your encounter as you can before going down to your dinner. You need not interrupt me here again till I send for you. There—go.”
The old man once more raised his hand to point towards the door, and, unable to contain himself longer, Aleck rushed out, made for his room, and shut and bolted himself in.