There was a silence, while Mr. Wygant got back his breath. “Young man,” he cried at last, “this is a most incredible piece of impertinence!”
And suddenly the boy started toward him, stretching out his arms. “Mr. Wygant!” he cried. “You are going to be angry with me! But I beg you not to harden your heart! I have come here for your own good! I came because I couldn't bear to know that such things are done by a member of St. Matthew's Church!”
For a moment or two Mr. Wygant sat staring. “Let me ask you one thing,” he said. “Does Dr. Vince know about this?”
“I went to Dr. Vince about it first,” replied Samuel. “And he wouldn't do anything about it. He said that if I came to you, I must make it clear that he did not approve of it. I have come of my own free will, sir.”
There was another pause. “You are going to be angry with me!” cried Samuel, again.
“No,” said the other, “I will not be angry—because you are nothing but a child, and you don't know what you are doing.”
“Oh!” said Samuel.
“You are very much in need of a little knowledge of life,” added the other.
“But, Mr. Wygant,” exclaimed the boy, “the things I have said are true!”
“They are true—after a fashion,” was the reply.