"He wouldn't hurt you," said Mr. Hamilton, as he entered. "Grit is as gentle as a lamb."
"Lamb! Humph, you can't make me believe that!" snorted Mr. Larabee. "He'd have bitten me if I'd stayed there."
Mr. Hamilton did not answer, but drawing up an easy chair, and indicating another for his brother-in-law, inquired:
"What was it you wanted to see me about, Ezra?"
"It's this," went on Mr. Larabee, walking over and locking the library door. "I'm going back to Dankville to-morrow, but, before I go, I consider it my duty to make one last appeal to you not to let Richard go off on this yachting cruise."
"Why not?"
"Because it will squander a lot of money that he ought to save up against the time of need."
"Oh, Dick has plenty, and so have I."
"That may be, but it's the wrong sort of training for a young man. Richard ought to be taught the habits of thrift and frugality."
"His mother and I think he ought to be trained to fulfill his station in life, which is that of a millionaire. Did you ever stop to think, Ezra, that a millionaire may do good by spending his money freely, not foolishly."