"Well, I had business. I wanted to see a fellow there. You never heard any one make such a row about nothing. I have the greatest mind in the world to shake off the yoke altogether, and start for myself in life."
William could not help laughing. "You start?"
"You think I couldn't? If I do, rely upon it I succeed. I'm nearly sick of knocking about. I declare I'd rather sweep a crossing, and get ten shillings a week and keep myself upon it, than I'd continue to have my life bothered out by him. I shall tell him so one of these first fine days if he doesn't let me alone. Why doesn't he!"
"I suppose the fact is you continue to provoke him," remarked William.
"What about?" was the fierce rejoinder.
"Oh! you know, Carr. What I spoke to you of, before—though it is not any business of mine. Why don't you drop it?"
"Because I don't choose," returned Robert Carr, understanding the allusion. "I declare, before Heaven, that there's no wrong in it, and I don't choose to submit myself, abjectly, to the will of others. The thing might have been dropped at first but for the opposition that was raised. So long as fools continue that, I shall go there."
"For the girl's own sake, you should drop it. I presume you can't intend to marry her——"
"Marry her!" scoffingly interrupted Robert Carr.
"Just so. But she is a respectable girl, and——"