“It appears to me you are acting as if you were your own master,” observed the squire.
“I am my own master,” replied Philip firmly.
“You seem to forget that I am your guardian.”
“I don’t forget it, for I never knew it,” said our hero.
“It is generally understood that such is the case.”
“I can’t help it. I don’t need a guardian, and shall get along without one.”
“Ahem! Perhaps that isn’t to be decided by you.”
“If I am to have a guardian, Squire Pope,” said Philip bluntly, “I sha’n’t select you. I shall select Mr. Dunbar.”
“I have much more knowledge of business than Mr. Dunbar,” said the squire, shifting his ground.
“That may be, but there is one important objection.”