There followed a somewhat tense silence before he said, "Well, go on! I knew you wanted to row me about something. What's it all about?" His voice was sullen but his attitude was no longer hostile. He looked ashamed. Jake sat down suddenly on the edge of the writing-table. "Say, Bunny!" he said gently. "Do you know you're the only man in the world that can send me to perdition and not have his teeth knocked down his throat for his officiousness?" Bunny looked up at him, and in a moment, like the flash of sunshine from behind a cloud, he was smiling. "Oh, get out, Jake. I suppose you're going to wipe the floor with me now. I didn't mean it and I'm sorry. Let's get on from there!" His hand gripped Jake's hard. There was something very winning about him at the moment, something that appealed strongly to the older man though he did not instantly reply. He kept the boy's hand in his for a moment, and his eyes were very kindly as he looked into the thin young face. "Guess you know I'm pretty fond of you, my son," he said at length, "but I don't figure to let you go to the devil unhindered on that account." Bunny whistled. "Who's going? Oh, don't be an ass, Jake, will you?" "No, I won't," said Jake, "at least not the soft variety. Reckon I've been too soft with you, Bunny, as long as I've known you." Bunny stirred restlessly in his chair. "Think so?" he said. "Well, it's a good fault, old chap. I can't stand bullying from anyone--makes me see red at once." "I know," Jake said. "I've never bullied you anyway. But I'm on the war-path now, and you've got to take your physic whether you like it or not. Say, Bunny, how much money did you drop at the races this afternoon?" "What's that to you?" said Bunny. Jake's face hardened a little. "Well, I expected that," he said. "Afraid to tell me, eh?" "Not in the least afraid," said Bunny. "I dispute your right to know, that's all." "I see." Jake regarded him with a very direct scrutiny. "I'm to be kept in my place, is that it?" Bunny coloured. "That's the fourth time you've called me a bounder since we came in. What do you mean by it, Jake?" "What do I mean?" Jake spoke rather sadly. "Well, maybe that's just what I do mean, Bunny. You're beginning to bound." "Rot!" said Bunny, though he coloured more deeply than before. "You know there isn't another fellow anywhere that I respect as I respect you. But--dash it, Jake!--you must let me grow." "I want you to," said Jake. "But for the Lord's sake, grow straight!" He reached out and took Bunny by the shoulder. "I'm going to ask a big thing of you, sonny, but I guess I shall know by the way you take it how much your respect for me is worth." "What is it?" said Bunny. "Just this." Jake leaned forward; there was speculation in his look. "I want you to chuck racing--altogether--for a year. There!" "Chuck racing!" Bunny sat up very straight. "Jake! Why on earth should I?"