“That’s all very well, son, I’ve no doubt they appreciate your help and all that, and it’s been very commendable in you to give your time, but now you owe yourself something, and you owe the world something. You’ve got to turn out a great lawyer and prove to the world that people from that district are worth helping. That’s the best way in the long run to help those people. Give them into somebody else’s hands now. You’ve done your part. When you get to be a rich man you can give them something now and then if you like, but it’s time to cut out the work now. That sort of thing might be very popular in a political leader, but you’ve got your way to make and it’s time you gave your evenings to culture, and to going out into society somewhat. Here’s a list of concerts and lectures for next winter. You ought to go to them all. I’m sorry I didn’t think of it this winter, but perhaps it was as well not to go too deep at the start. However, you ought to waste no more time. I’ve put your application in for season tickets for those things on that list, and you’ll receive tickets in due time. There’s an art exhibition or two where there are good things to be seen. You’ve got to see and hear everything if you want to be a thoroughly educated man. I said a word or two about you here and there, and I think you’ll receive some invitations worth accepting pretty soon. You’ll need a dress suit, and I had word sent to the tailor about it this morning when it occurred to me—”
“But,” said Michael amazed and perturbed, “I do not belong in society. People do not want one like me there. If they knew they would not ask me.”
“Bosh! All bosh! Didn’t I tell you to cut that out? People don’t know and you’ve no need to tell them. They think you are a distant relative of mine if they think anything about it, and you’re not to tell them you are not. You owe it to me to keep still about it. If I guarantee you’re all right that ought to suit anybody.”
“I couldn’t go where people thought I was more than I was,” said Michael, head up, eyes shining, his firmest expression on his mouth, but intense trouble in his eyes. It was hard to go against his benefactor.
“You got all those foolish notions from working down there in the slums. You’re got a false idea of yourself and a false notion of right and wrong. It’s high time you stopped going there. After you’ve been to a dance or two and a few theatre suppers, and got acquainted with some nice girls who’ll invite you to their house-parties you’ll forget you ever had anything to do with the slums. I insist that you give that work up at once. Promise me you will not go near the place again. Write them a letter—”
“I couldn’t do that!” said Michael, his face expressive of anguish fighting with duty.
“Couldn’t! Nonsense. There is no such word. I say I want you to do it. Haven’t I proved my right to make that request?”
“You have,” said Michael, dropping his sorrowing eyes slowly, and taking out the folded check from his pocket. “You have the right to ask it, but I have no right to do what you ask. I have begun the work, and it would not be right to stop it. Indeed, I couldn’t. If you knew what it means to those fellows—but I cannot keep this if you feel that way! I was going to use it for the work—but now—”
Michael’s pauses were eloquent. Endicott was deeply touched but he would not show it. He was used to having his own way, and it irritated, while it pleased him in a way, to have Michael so determined. As Michael stopped talking he laid the check sadly on the desk.
“Nonsense!” said Endicott irritably, “this has nothing to do with the check. That was your birthday present. Use it as you like. What I have given I have given and I won’t take back even if I have nothing more to do with you from this time forth. I have no objection to your giving away as much money as you can spare to benevolent institutions, but I say that I do object to your wasting your time and your reputation in such low places. It will injure you eventually, it can’t help it. I want you to take your evenings for society and for lectures and concerts—”