"All who are opposed will say 'Nay.'" A few scattered voices, among them Mr. Carlton's, cried "Nay." "The 'Ayes' have it," declared the Speaker, "and the House now stands adjourned." At that moment Barry reached Mr. Carlton's side, holding a copy of the much needed book in his hand. The Congressman turned around and the moment he saw the boy a glint of anger appeared in his eyes. John Carlton was a very amiable man, but like most men of that type, he could be exceedingly angry at times. The thought of the manner in which he had been worsted by his adversary did not help his temper at this particular moment. He waved his hand toward Barry with a motion of disgust: "You may take the book back now," he said; "I have no use for it!" "I am sorry, Mr. Carlton," began Barry, "but--" "Your sorrow comes too late," was the angry retort, "I have done my best for you, and now you have succeeded in doing your worst for me!" "But, Mr. Carlton--" "I don't care for any explanation; I have nothing more to say." And, turning on his heel, the Congressman walked away, leaving Barry standing in the aisle, flushed and embarrassed. It was a very sore trial for the boy from Cleverly. When Barry sought his bed that night all of the vanity that had influenced his words and actions during the previous days had vanished. He realized that he had been at fault, and he wondered vaguely whether Mr. Carlton would ever forgive him for his carelessness. He tried to keep up bravely, but his pillow was damp with the tears that persisted in welling up in his eyes. He realized that, after all, he was only a boy, with all of the defects of boyhood. He thought of the lost money at the moving picture show, and then of the manner in which he had failed his benefactor at a very critical moment. After all, he was very, very human--and he had fallen a second time. CHAPTER XV BARRY REDEEMS HIMSELF For many days after the unfortunate incident of the Congressional Library Barry found it very embarrassing to be in the presence of Mr. Carlton. He realized more deeply as time went on how greatly he had neglected his duty, and that fact did not tend to keep him in a very pleasant state of mind. He was morose, irritable, and dissatisfied with himself and with the world in general. He still retained enough false pride to prevent him from making any overtures to his friend and benefactor. Besides that, he had come to know Mr. Carlton's character well enough to appreciate that soft words could not, with him, take the place of a plain performance of duty. Mr. Carlton, on his part, made no further reference to the incident. He did not treat Barry unkindly, but there was in his manner an absence of that cordiality that had existed before Barry's fall from grace.