It will be seen that Mr. Mead was a just man, though a politic one.
“Thank you, sir,” said Harry, relieved.
“I am sorry this has occurred.”
“So am I, sir; but if I hadn’t done as I did I should have been there now, for Philip was determined not to budge.”
“Well, we must smooth it over as well as we can. I presume that I shall have a call from Colonel Ross or his wife. I hope it will be the colonel, for he won’t be so unreasonable as his lady.”
It so happened that the first person whom Mrs. Ross saw when she entered the grocery store was Harry.
Her eyes flashed with resentment as they fell upon the persecutor of her poor boy, but she would not waste any words upon him.
“Where is Mr. Mead?” she asked.
“I will call him, madam,” answered Harry, politely.
Mr. Mead came forward, and Mrs. Ross rehearsed her story, in terms which the reader can imagine for himself.