"I shall be glad to have you call me John," said our hero, without regarding Mr. Huxter's brutal speech.
John rose from the table. He had not eaten much, for Mr. Huxter's coarseness, and the note from his stepmother, had taken away his appetite.
"Won't you have something more, John?" asked Mrs. Huxter. "You've eaten very little."
"No, thank you. I don't feel much appetite this morning."
He took his hat, and was about to leave the house by the back door which led out of the kitchen.
"Where are you going, Oakley?" demanded Mr. Huxter.
"I am going out for a walk," said John, shortly.
Mr. Huxter hesitated whether to obey the dictates of the petty tyranny which impelled him to forbid John to go out, but finally decided not to interfere at present. He contented himself, therefore, with saying:—
"I expect you to return within an hour."