“It was the same thing!” exclaimed the major bitterly.
“Let me talk, father,” said Tommy, who, by a miracle which I could not comprehend, had thus far remained silent.
His father let him talk, and, like an obedient parent, was silent himself.
“Wolf, you said you would rather serve me than injure me,” continued the little major, fixing his gaze upon me.
“I did; and I meant so,” I replied.
“Suppose I should offer to give you back your place on the locomotive.”
“It will be time enough to answer when you have done so.”
I had no idea that he intended to make me any such offer. The sneers and the looks of contempt bestowed upon me were sufficient assurances that neither father nor son regarded me with any other feeling than aversion. It was not necessary gratuitously to decline the offer in advance, and thus provoke their anger.
“Suppose I should make you the offer,” repeated Tommy, rather disturbed by my evasive reply.
“As you have not made it, I need not answer.”