"So this girl lives in Milton?"
"Yes, sir. At the old Corner House. And she is lovely—"
"Be still!" commanded the old man. "Young calf! Do you suppose I am interested in your protestations of silliness about a girl! I want to hear nothing more about it. You understand my wishes well enough. I will never do a thing for you after you graduate— I will strike you out of my will— I'll close my door against you, if you entangle yourself in any way with this girl."
"Oh, Neighbor!" murmured Luke sadly, stepping back from the old man's wildly gesturing arm.
"I mean it. I always mean what I say," declared Mr. Northrup. "You should know me well enough by this time. A girl—faugh! You trouble me any more about this girl—or any other—and I'll have nothing more to do with you."
"Very well, Mr. Northrup. Good-bye," said Luke, and turned toward the door.
"Where are you going, you young whippersnapper!" roared the old man.
"I have made up my mind. I will win Ruth if I can—though with my poor prospects I have no right to speak to her now. But it would not be right, when you feel as you do, for me to accept any further favors from you when I am determined in my heart to get Ruth in spite of you."
The door closed quietly behind him before the old man could utter another word. He stared at the door, then sat down slowly and his face lost its angry color.
Mr. Henry Northrup was apparently both pained and amazed. Perhaps he was mostly confused because Luke Shepard had taken him quite at his word.