Gilbert left the house of Mrs. Briggs, not cast down, but with a full understanding of his situation. Until now he had had his guardian’s assistance, and, with the income from his position as office-boy, had felt no anxiety. Now, both had failed him, for the time at least, and he must shift for himself. Disaster develops the manhood in a boy as well as a man. So Gilbert did not indulge in any gloomy anticipations of starvation or pauperism. He never for a moment regretted his refusal to take money from Mrs. Briggs, offered as it had been in such a manner as to insult his self-respect.
“I’d rather live on one meal a day,” he said to himself stoutly, “than humble myself to that woman.”
When he re-entered his room he found his room-mate reading.
“Well, Gilbert,” he said, “did you have a pleasant call?”
“So pleasant that I shall not call again in a hurry,” answered Gilbert.
“Then Mrs. Briggs won’t give you any assistance?”
“Yes; but I have rejected it.”
Mr. Ingalls looked surprised.
“Did you not act unwisely?” he asked.
“Let me tell you just what passed between us, and you shall judge.”