“I’ll—I’ll run away first,” he sputtered.
The lawyer laughed. “I’ll risk that,” he said. “A very brief experience of roughing it, and earning your own living, would bring you to your senses. No, George, you’ve come to a turning place in your life. Now make up your mind to face the situation manfully, and make a record that you and I can both be proud of. I’ll be around again in a day or two, and I am sure that you will have made up your mind not to be so foolish as to throw away this chance.”
Crawford had never been taught to control his temper, and he gave full vent to his furious anger, after the departure of his guardian. He fumed and raged like an overgrown child, and vowed that he would never “knuckle under to Keene and Horton to please old Chase.” He had just begun to cool off a little when Henderson appeared. His face was as black as Crawford’s as he flung himself into a chair saying:—
“You look about as I feel, Crawford; wonder if you’ve had as pleasant an interview with your old man as I’ve had with mine.”
“I’ve had a sweet lecture from old Chase,” replied Crawford, moodily, “and I’ve been trying ever since he left to decide whether or no I’ll cut the whole business and clear out somewhere. I’ve more than half a mind to go out west and go to work.”
“Oh, no, don’t think of that. You’d be a big fool to clear out when you can have all the money you want here.”
Crawford looked up quickly. “And you,” he said, “are you going to go back and promise to be a good little boy?”
“Expect I’ve got to,” replied Henderson, moodily.
“Well, I never would have believed you’d back down so quickly,” said Crawford, scornfully.
Henderson’s face flushed angrily.