"
"Thank you; but I don't wish to be 'squared.' I've done nothing to be
ashamed of, and I have borne as many insults as I can stand. I'm going."
"No, you ain't. Not yet. I want you to stay."
At that moment Stephen's voice reached them from the adjoining room.
"I tell you I shall, Caro!" it proclaimed, fiercely. "Do you suppose
I'm going to permit that fellow to come here again--or to go until he is
made to understand what we think of him and why? No, by gad! I'm the man
of this family, and I'll tell him a few things."
Pearson's jaw set grimly.
"You may let go of my wrist, Captain Warren," he said; "I'll stay."
Possibly Stephen's intense desire to prove his manliness made him
self-conscious. At any rate, he never appeared more ridiculously boyish
than when, an instant later, he marched into the library and confronted
his uncle and Pearson.
"I--I want to say--" he began, majestically; "I want to say--"
He paused, choking, and brandished his fist.
"I want to say--" he began again.
"All right, Stevie," interrupted the captain, dryly, "then I'd say it if
I was you. I guess it's time you did."
"I want to--to tell that fellow THERE," with a vicious stab of his
forefinger in the direction of Pearson, "that I consider him an--an
ingrate--and a scoundrel--and a miserable--"
"Steady!" Captain Elisha's interruption was sharp this time.
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