"Well, you let the boy have his chance, and don't you stick in
your broken oar," cried Mahaffy fiercely.
The judge rolled over on his back, and stared up at the heavens.
"This is a new aspect of your versatile nature, Solomon. Must I
regard you as a personally emancipated moral influence, not
committed to the straight and narrow path yourself, but still
close enough to it to keep my feet from straying?" he at length
demanded.
Mahaffy having spoken his mind, preserved a stony silence.
The judge got up and replenished the camp-fire, which had burnt
low, then squatting before it, he peered into the flames.
"You'll not deny, Solomon, that Miss Malroy exhibited a real
affection for Hannibal?" he began.
"Now don't you try to borrow money of her, Price," said Mahaffy,
returning to the attack.
"Solomon--Solomon--how can you?"
"That'll be your next move. Now let her alone; let Hannibal have
his luck as it comes to him."
"You seem to forget, sir, that I still bear the name of
gentleman!" said the judge.
Mahaffy gave way to acid merriment.
"Well, see that you are not tempted to forget that," he observed.
"If I didn't know your sterling qualities, Solomon, and pay
homage to 'em, I might be tempted to take offense," said the
judge.
"It's like pouring water on a duck's back to talk to you, Price;
nothing strikes in."
"On the contrary, I am at all times ready to listen to reason
from any quarter, but I've studied this matter in its many-sided
aspect.
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