“Certainly not. As long as he uses you well, you are bound to do the same by him, whatever happens.”
“I refused to leave the railroad company when the colonel offered me more wages than I was receiving. He has given me my place in good faith. If I can do better on this side of the lake than I can on the other, I think I have the right to resign my situation, if I give reasonable notice.”
“Quite right, Wolf,” replied my father warmly. “Major Toppleton discharged us both without an hour’s notice, and I don’t think we are under special obligation to him for his recent treatment of us, though he certainly did us a good turn when we were persecuted by Colonel Wimpleton.”
My father and I were in perfect accord, as we generally were on questions of right and of policy; and I hastened to the major’s house, not without a certain dread of confronting the great man. I was admitted to the library. I had hoped I should obtain at least a sight of Grace, but I did not; and I braced my nerves for the interview with the great major and the little major, for both of them were present. The father bowed loftily and haughtily as I entered, and the son looked supercilious and contemptuous. Neither of them was courteous enough to invite me to take a seat, and I stood up before them, waiting their imperial pleasure.
“You sent for me, Major Toppleton, and I have come,” I ventured to say; and the cold reception accorded to me had a tendency to make me stand upon my dignity.
“I find, to my surprise, that you have gone into the employ of Colonel Wimpleton,” said the senior major, with a sneer upon his lips.
“Yes, sir,” I replied, bowing.
“I am astonished!” added the major.
“Neither my father nor myself could afford to remain without employment, when good offers were made to us,” I answered respectfully.
“Then I am to understand that you and your father have arrayed yourselves against me.”