"Can't take it?" repeated the astonished lawyer, while Fred Ripley fairly gasped.
"I can't accept money, sir, for an act of humanity."
"Oh! But I think I can convince you, my boy, that you can."
"I'm equally sure that you can't Mr. Ripley," persisted the freshman, smiling. "But again I thank you for the intention."
Lawyer Ripley was a good deal of a judge of human character.
He began to feel sure that the freshman was speaking the truth.
Just at that moment some one entered the outer office. Mr. Ripley glanced out, then said:
"I shall have to ask you to excuse me for a few moments. Fred, of course you have just thanked Mr. Prescott again for his heroic act?"
"N-n-no, sir," stammered Fred.
"When I return I don't want to have to hear another answer like that," warned the lawyer, sternly. Then he closed the door behind him.
Dick turned, with a dry smile.