Though Lawyer Ripley was, ordinarily, a rather pompous and purseproud sort of man, it was plain that he realized a debt of gratitude, and meant to pay it as graciously as he knew how to do.
"You have performed a most valuable service for me, Prescott," began the lawyer again, in a heavy, solemn voice.
"You are quite welcome to the service, Mr. Ripley, and I hope you won't think any more about it," Dick replied.
"But it is impossible that I forget it," replied the lawyer, raising his eyebrows in some astonishment. "You saved the life of my son, my only child."
"At not very much risk to myself, sir," smiled the freshman.
"I was able, soon after, to go in and win a skating race."
"At not much risk?" repeated the lawyer. "Why, your life was in very considerable danger. Do you call that little?"
"Almost any of the High School fellows would have done it, Mr.
Ripley."
"But none of them did."
"Because I happened to be right at hand, and jumped in first—-that was all," Dick insisted.
"Young man, I am not going to allow you to make little of the great service that you did me. I—-ah, here comes the young man we've been discussing." The lawyer changed the subject as Fred entered. "Frederick, you are late, and, on an occasion of this kind, I could hope that you would be more prompt."