“I suppose you can not understand just how I got rid of my money,” Philip said grimly.
“I confess I can't,” Mr. Gerard replied nervously. “Your admission has been a great surprise to me. It was only a month or so ago that you had quite a large sum saved and now you inform me it's all gone, and you don't tell me where.”
“Of course—of course. That is your business. I appreciate that—I ask for no explanation—and I do like your frankness in coming to me at once,” but there was small favor in the glance he bestowed upon Philip. “If it's gone—why——-” he came to a stop again.
“It is gone. Every penny of it.” Philip said relentlessly.
“And you had rather I slow up on my visits?”
“I leave it entirely with you, as I said before. I don't understand and I am not satisfied. I—really it may be as well for you to keep away. But do whatever you think proper.”
“You put it to me in such shape that there is just one thing I can do, and that is keep away and stay away.”
Philip cut him short by turning on his heel. “You have no objection to my calling this afternoon?”
“Oh, no. Not at all. It's right that you should.”
“Thank you,” said Philip, and took himself off, leaving Mr. Gerard puffing and agitated in the door of his office.
Philip was glad that he had carried off the honors of the interview where calmness and dispassion were involved, but he knew that the triumph was a small one, and that Mr. Gerard's turn would come later, when he himself could but compress his lips and suffer.
He was thinking of this and bitter revolt was in his heart when he presented himself to Barbara. His face told plainly what he felt. Indeed, it was so apparent that she silently followed him into the parlor.
He threw his hat down upon a chair and stood in the center of the room looking at her, wondering how it would be possible to exist, deprived of her companionship.
“What is it, Philip? Why don't you tell me?” she at last found courage to ask.
“It's what I have known would happen all along. Your father——”
“What has my father done?” she interrupted him.
“He has told me I must stop coming here.”
Barbara's eyes blazed. Her diminutive figure was drawn wrathfully up to its fullest height. “Has he dared to do that—has he dared!”