“You were Professor Fuller’s visitor, weren’t you?”
“Yes; I have just come from there. I am glad I went. The old governor is very kind.”
“You haven’t been telling him——”
“No, no,” answered Howard, interrupting me. “It was not necessary to tell him everything. It would only have distressed him, and—and I couldn’t have gone all over it again. I went to pay him the money I had borrowed, and which Ray gave me this morning. I then merely told him that I had got foolishly into debt, and asked his advice.”
“Have you disposed of those town men?” I inquired.
“Yes, and a terrible load it lifted off my mind. I have done a lot of hard thinking during the past two days, more than I ever did in my life before, and I have made resolutions that I shall never break.”
“I am sure of it, Howard,” I answered, “and I am very glad you got out of your trouble so well.”
“What worries me most,” he continued, “is the debt I owe Ray Wendell. As each of my debts is paid I feel this load grow heavier; and while it is a great relief to be rid of these old accounts, I hate to think of all I owe to Ray. I would give anything to be able to pay him promptly, but I don’t know what to do. I am in very moderate circumstances, and my debts amount to a large sum.”
“Don’t let it worry you, Howard,” I answered. “I know you will do your best, and so does Ray. Pay him as you feel you can.”
“It was about this particularly that I wanted Professor Fuller’s advice. I told him I was willing to do almost anything to secure the money I needed, and he made a suggestion which I am going to follow out, and which I hope will bring good results.”