As Robert seemed to be enjoying himself, he could not resist the temptation to interfere.
So he opened the window and called out, "Robert, I wish you would stop playing ball in the street."
"Because the ball might come this way and break one of the windows."
"There is no chance of it, Mr. Talbot. We are sending the ball up and down the street."
"Will you be guided by my wishes?" demanded Talbot querulously.
"I would if they were reasonable. I don't think they are."
"I am the best judge of that. I don't want you to play ball in front of my house."
"Your house? How long has it been yours? It belongs to my mother."
"I am sorry to say that you are right. But that doesn't make the house yours."
"I have no wish to quibble. I represent your mother, and I have a right to ask you to stop playing ball in front of the house."
"Even if the house were yours, you don't own the street. Go ahead, Sam!"
Mr. Talbot banged the door and went into the house.
"That is the most impudent cub I ever saw," he muttered. He was worsted again, and he felt angry and provoked.
"What a sweet step-father you've got, Robert," said Sam.
"Isn't he? But don't call him my step-father. I want to forget that he is connected with me in any way. He is constantly nagging me. I don't think I can stand it much longer."
"Mother has a very sweet temper, and she has no will of her own."
"Yes, I have a will of my own. I don't think a boy or man can succeed who hasn't."
"You say you can't stand it. What will that lead to?"
"It may lead to my leaving the house, and going out into the world to seek my fortune. Our house is a large one, but it isn't large enough to contain Mr. Talbot and myself."
"I hope you won't have to go, Robert. I should miss you awfully."
"And I should miss you, Sam. But time will show."
Probably no persons could be more incompatible, or less likely to get along together, than Robert and Mr. Talbot. The presence of one was a constant irritation to the other. This could have but one issue. One day, perhaps a week after the dispute about ball-playing, Robert entered the gate on his way back from the village. Mr. Talbot was standing on the lawn. He had scarcely entered the yard when a man reeling under the influence of drink staggered by.