Meanwhile, Mr. Talbot after taking time to recover his equanimity, sought his wife.
"Mrs. T.," he said, "your promising son is getting worse and worse."
"Explain yourself," she said coldly.
"He sprang upon me with the ferocity of a tiger, after I had made an inoffensive remark, and taking me unawares, actually threw me down. I can't endure his presence."
"You won't be obliged to. He has decided to leave home."
"Where will he go?"
"He is going out into the world to seek his fortune," she answered sadly.
"He will fetch up in jail," said his step-father savagely.
"I think, Mr. Talbot, we will drop the subject. I do not feel equal to discussing it when my dear and only child is about to leave home, driven from it by you."