"Why go further?" continued Mr. Curtis. "I brazened it out as best I could and denounced the whole wretched performance as a piece of unmitigated cowardice which should brand Watkins forever as unworthy the society of self-respecting men. The college, as a whole, however, did not take that position, although I never suffered very heavily for my part in the proceeding.
"And now, boys, you've had the whole story, and you know, in part at least, something of what Randolph was like."
"I bet I know that Watkins!" exclaimed Ralph. "Was his name _Samuel J._ Watkins? There's a fellow in our class named Samuel J. Watkins, Jr. He makes me tired. Sometimes his father comes out to see him--an old fellow with bedspring whiskers. He looks just mean enough to put up a trick like that."
"That was Watkins's name," admitted Mr. Curtis. "But he wasn't a bad fellow, after all, and later we became good friends." He took out his watch. "Heavens, it's half-past twelve! And to think I've been sitting here, the night before one of your examinations probably, dreaming away three hours and a half and boring you chaps to death. I had no idea it was so late."
"I am awfully glad you did," said Ralph. "I tell you we don't have men like that nowadays. At least I don't know of any. But what became of Randolph--afterwards?"
Both of us felt very much embarrassed. But then, as Mr. Curtis lit another cigar, picked up his hat and cane, and held out his hand, Ralph's insatiable curiosity got the better of him.
"And Moses--was that he with you to-day at the memorial service? We saw you, you know."
"Yes," replied Mr. Curtis. "After Mrs. Randolph's death Moses came North to live with me."
I thought Ralph had gone far enough, but I was rather glad afterwards that, as he took our guest's hand in parting, he said impulsively:
"I think Mr. Randolph was a splendid gentleman!"
Transcriber's Note: The following typographical errors, present in the original text, have been corrected.
"A shiver of terrror" was changed to "A shiver of terror".
A quotation mark was removed before "Flynt was not here, was he?"
"he in-inquired of 'Dooley'" was changed to "he inquired of 'Dooley'".
"cabs, lan aus, and wagons" was changed to "cabs, landaus, and wagons".