“I told you on Sunday,” Storm reminded him grimly.
“I know, but I—I really hoped you would think better of it.” George shook his head. “I can’t stand by without a remonstrance and see my best friend throw his whole future away on a mere restless whim. You know you are fixed for life with the Mammoth people, and no man in his senses would turn his back on an assured and ample income to gratify such a suddenly aroused desire for travel. What is it, Norman? What is on your mind?”
“What do you mean?” Storm’s eyes narrowed and his voice was ominously calm. “What should be on my mind, George?”
“I don’t know! Hang it, I wish I did!” the other retorted. “It just isn’t reasonable, that’s all. I don’t want to—to touch on anything that will add to your sorrow, Norman, but I can’t help feeling that there is something more in this than just an attempt to forget your grief over Leila’s death. A man might naturally hanker for new scenes, but he wouldn’t sacrifice his whole future for a few months’ change. Tell me what is at the bottom of this crazy move of yours, won’t you? I know you think I’m just a stodgy old fool, but maybe I can help.”
His tone was pleading, his affectionate concern so evident, that Storm felt a twinge of compunction even as his annoyance at the other’s persistence arose.
“Your attitude is not very flattering, George,” he responded coldly. “You talk as though I were an hereditary pensioner of the Mammoth Trust, as though I would not be worth my salt in any other capacity. I do not owe you or any one else an explanation of my conduct——”
“Norman!” George’s face flushed with pain and mortification, and he half rose from the chair.
“Sit down, old man. I know you mean this in pure friendship, but I’m not in the mood for advice.” Storm controlled himself with an effort and went on carefully. “The fact is that even if I did not contemplate this trip I should sever my connection with the trust company. There you have it straight. I’m not getting the right deal there, and I mean to branch out for myself; I should have done so long ago, but I did not want to take a chance on Leila’s account. You will forgive me if I do not discuss my future plans with you at the moment. They are not sufficiently matured, and incidentally I mean to travel for a few months. That is the whole thing in a nutshell.”
“I am sorry,” George said stiffly. “I didn’t mean to butt in. I shall miss you.”
The constrained tone, the wounded expression in his faithful, faded eyes only fanned his host’s dull anger; but the entrance of Millard, pompous and radiating a spirit of self-satisfied elation, brought an end to the situation.