“Good evening, General!” said Gaston with embarrassment.
“What do you want, sir?” he growled.
“I wish to see you for a few minutes.”
“Well, I don’t want to see you.”
“Whether you wish to or not, you must do it sooner of later,” answered Gaston with dignity.
“Indeed! Your insolence is sublime, I must say!”
“The sooner you and I have a plain talk the better for both of us. It can’t be put off any longer,” Gaston continued with self control. He was looking the General straight in the eyes now, with head and broad shoulders erect and his square-cut jaws were snapping his words with a clean emphasis that was not lost on the older master of men before him.
“Call at my office in the morning at ten o’clock.” he said, at length.
“I will not do it. I am going home on the nine o’clock train. To-morrow is Christmas day. The issue between us is of life import to me, and it may be of equal importance to you. I will not put it off another hour!”
The General glared at him. His hands began to tremble, and raising his voice, he thundered, “I am not accustomed to take orders from young upstarts. How dare you attempt to force yourself into my house when you were told again and again not to attempt it, sir?”