"Not so fast, Johnny," said Doctor Lavendar.
"Excuse me, sir." He fell into step with the old man, but he was tense with the effort to walk slowly. . . . They were nearly at the gate before there was any speech between them. Then Johnny said, violently:
"There's no use saying anything to me, Doctor Lavendar! Not a particle of use!"
"I haven't said anything, John."
"They got you here to—to influence me! I saw through it the minute—she began. But I never forgive," Johnny said; "I want you to understand that!" He was hurrying again. The old man pressed a little on his arm.
"I'm sorry to be so slow, Johnny."
"Oh—excuse me, sir; I didn't realize. . . . She threw me away. I've thrown her away. There's no use talking to me!"
Doctor Lavendar was silent.
"I tell you, I won't have anything to do with them—with her, I mean. He's not so bad. I—I like him—in spite of—of everything. But she deserted me when I was born."
"It is certainly cruel to desert a newborn thing," said Doctor Lavendar.