Sir Archibald sat down.
“I owe you a thousand dollars, sir,” Archie went on, coming close to his father’s desk and looking Sir Archibald straight in the eye. “It is due to-day, and I can’t pay it––now.” 315
Sir Archibald would not further humiliate the boy by remitting the debt. There was no help for Archie in this crisis. Nobody knew it better than Sir Archibald.
“I have no excuse, sir,” said Archie, with his head half-defiantly thrown back, “but I should like to explain.”
Sir Archibald nodded.
“I meant to be back in time to realize on––well––on those things you have given me––on the yacht and the boat and the pony,” Archie went on, finding a little difficulty with a lump of shame in his throat; “but I missed the mail-boat at Ruddy Cove, and I–––”
The pale little clerk once more put his sharp little face in at the door.
“Judd,” said Sir Archibald, sternly, “be good enough not to interrupt me.”
“But, sir–––”
“Judd,” Sir Archibald roared, “shut that door!”