"Why! —" said Rufus firing again, — "to do whatever is necessary to relieve me! Who should do it?"
"I wish you could get somebody else, Will," said the other.
"I am sorry I cannot!" said Rufus. "If I had the money I would pay it and submit to be trodden upon — I would rather take it some ways than some others — but unhappily necessity is laid upon me. I cannot pay, and I am unwilling to go to jail, and I must ask you to help me, painful as it is."
Winthrop was silent, grave and calm as usual; but Winnie's heart ached to see how grave his eye was. Did she read it right? He was silent still; and so was Rufus, though watching for him to speak.
"Well!" said Rufus at last getting up with a start, "I will relieve you! I am sorry I troubled you needlessly — I shall know better than to do it again! —"
He was rushing off, but before he reached the door Winthrop had planted himself in front of it.
"Stand out of my way."
"I am not in it. Go back, Will."
"I won't, if you please. — I'll thank you to let me open the door."
"I will not. Go back to your seat, Rufus — I want to speak to you."