"You didn't measure the extent of your teaching. It went a mile further than your intention. And as it has gone beyond your control, let us make the most of it, or rather the best of it. Let him follow his own bent, let him fight for an aristocracy, and let him go with a blessing rather than with a curse. That's the sensible view to take. I am going to fight for the Union, and I now give him my hand, hoping that one day he may see his error and repent of it."
He stretched forth his hand and Young Master clasped it. "I thank you, Uncle Clem. You have told me how sharp you can be and now you prove how broad and liberal you are."
Old Master reached forth his hand. "It is that you may feel how sore my heart is," said he, as the young man gripped his palm. "You have wounded me and the wound will never heal, but you are my son and I have been proud of you. Not another word," he said, quickly withdrawing his hand and lifting it to enjoin silence. "On this subject no more words shall pass between us; and when the time comes, you may go your way in silence. Daniel," he said, turning to me, "let me see you in the library."
I followed him into the library, and when he had closed the door he said to me. "You know what his intentions were."
"No, sir, he said not a word to me."
"Don't lie to me, Dan."
"As God is my judge, sir, I knew nothing of his plans until he gave them to you."
"And has he said nothing as to what you shall do? Hasn't he told you that you must go with him?
"I tell you that he has said nothing to me."
"But he will ask you to go with him."