"I'm banking on that," George said, willing the other should make what he would of it.
"It's there if you wish it," Old Planter went on. "I sent for you so that I could tell you myself that you will be away from Oakmont and from the neighbourhood by noon to-morrow. And remember your home is now a portion of Oakmont. You will never come near us again. You will forget what happened this afternoon."
He stood up, his face reddening. George wanted to tell him that Sylvia herself had said he shouldn't forget.
"If, Morton," the old man went on with a biting earnestness, "once you're away from Oakmont, you ever bother Miss Sylvia again, or make any attempt to see her, I'll dispossess your parents, and I'll drive you out of any job you get. I'll keep after you until you'll understand what you're defying. This isn't an idle threat. I have the power."
The father completely conquered him. He clenched his knotted fists.
"I'd destroy a regiment of creatures like you to spare my little girl one of the tears you caused her this afternoon."
"After all," George said, defensively, "I'm a human being."
Old Planter shook his head.
"If your father hadn't failed you'd have spent your life in a livery stable. It takes education, money, breeding to make a human being."
George nodded. He wouldn't need to plan much for himself, after all. Sylvia's father was doing it for him.