“I'm not defending myself, I'm trying to set you straight about Uncle Jesse. If I've picked up ideas that you don't like, it hasn't been from him, for he's avoided talking to me, and even told me I couldn't understand his ideas if I tried. I'm a parasite, a member of the wasting classes, all that sort of thing. What I've had explained has been by Alston, and Herron, and Steffens — ”
“Whom you met in Jesse's room, I believe!”
“Well, he could hardly refuse to introduce me to his friend when I walked in. As a matter of fact I'd have met Steffens anyway, because Alston's friends talked a lot about his visit to Russia, and he was at the dinner where they decided to resign. So whatever I've done that was wrong, you must blame me and not Uncle Jesse. I don't know whether he hasn't any use for me, or whether he just pretends that he hasn't, but anyhow that's the way things have been between us.”
Said Robbie, coldly: “Nothing alters the fact that he came to this hotel and brought a swarm of hornets down on both of us. Look at my room!” Robbie pointed to his effects strewn here and there. “And my business papers taken by the police, and copies made, no doubt — and sold by some crook to my business rivals!” Robbie knew how such things were done, having done them.
“You are perfectly right,” said the painter. “It is my fault, and I am sorry as can be.”
“All that I want to know is that I don't have to look forward to such things for the rest of my life. You are Beauty's brother, and if you decide to behave yourself as a decent human being, I'm ready to treat you that way. But if you choose to identify yourself with the scum of the earth, with the most dangerous criminals alive — all right, that's your privilege, but then I have to say: 'Keep away from me and mine.'”
“You are within your rights.” Uncle Jesse spoke in the same cold tones as his not quite brother-in-law. “If you will arrange it with your son to keep away from me, you may be sure that I will never again invade his life, or yours.”
VI
That was a fair demand and a fair assent; if only those two could have let it rest there! But they were like two stags in the forest, which might turn away and walk off in opposite directions — but they don't! Instead they stand and stare, paw the ground, and cannot get each other out of their minds.
The painter was moved to remark: “You may hang on to your dream of keeping modern thought from your son; but I assure you, Robbie, the forces against you are stronger than you realize.”