"It may lead to my leaving the house, and going out into the world to seek my fortune. Our house is a large one, but it isn't large enough to contain Mr. Talbot and myself."
"I hope you won't have to go, Robert. I should miss you awfully."
"And I should miss you, Sam. But time will show."
Probably no persons could be more incompatible, or less likely to get along together, than Robert and Mr. Talbot. The presence of one was a constant irritation to the other. This could have but one issue. One day, perhaps a week after the dispute about ball-playing, Robert entered the gate on his way back from the village. Mr. Talbot was standing on the lawn. He had scarcely entered the yard when a man reeling under the influence of drink staggered by.
"That man has more than he can carry," observed Robert.
"Yes," answered Talbot with a smile. "Take care that you don't fall into the same habit."
"Why do you caution me," asked Robert curtly. "Do you think there is any need of it?"
"Yes, if all that I have heard is true."
"What have you heard?"
"That your father was an intemperate man."