Think of
that, Solomon--think of that! I never saw anything more
beautiful than her manifestation of regard for my protege--"
"And you made it your business, Mr. Price, to do your very
damnedest to ruin his chances," said Mahaffy, with sudden heat.
"I ruin his chances?--I, sir? I consider that I helped his
chances immeasurably."
"All right, then, you helped his chances--only you didn't,
Price!"
"Am I to understand, Solomon, that you regard my interest in the
boy as harmful?" inquired the judge, in a tone of shocked
surprise.
"I regard it as a calamity," said Mahaffy, with cruel candor.
"And how about you, Solomon?"
"Equally a calamity. Mr. Price, you don't seem able to grasp
just what we look like!"
"The mind's the only measure of the man, Solomon. If anybody can
talk to me and be unaware that they are conversing with a
gentleman, all I can say is their experience has been as pitiable
as their intelligence is meager. But it hurts me when you
intimate that I stand in the way of the boy's opportunity."
"Price, what do you; suppose we look like--you and I"
"In a general way, Solomon, I am conscious that our appeal is to
the brain rather than the eye," answered the judge, with dignity.
"I reckon even you couldn't do a much lower trick than use the
boy as a stepping-stone," pursued Mahaffy.
"I don't see how you have the heart to charge me with such a
purpose--I don't indeed, Solomon." The judge spoke with deep
feeling; he was really hurt.
Pages:
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192