“That is enough, Captain. This has gone far enough. I have sold the land—for what seemed to me a good reason—and your calling me names will not change the situation. I don't care to hear them. You had better go.”
“WHAT?”
“I say you had better go.”
“I go? You'll put me out?”
“No, certainly not. But there is nothing to be gained by a quarrel, and so, for both our sakes, I think you had better go away.”
For a moment I thought he would strike me. Then his fist fell heavily upon the table. His lips were quivering like those of an infirm person. He looked old, and I had never before considered him an old man.
“What made you do it?” he cried, desperately. “What made you do it? Is it all settled? Can't you back out?”
“No.”
“But—but why didn't you sell to me—to the town? If you had to sell why didn't you do that? Why did you go to him?”
“Because he would pay me what I needed; because his price was higher than any you or the town could offer.”