Bodney came to the office every day, but was so restless that he rarely remained long. Once he came to the door, saw the preacher within, and stole away without speaking. And one afternoon Howard heard him and Goyle tossing high words in the hall, but a few moments later they went out, arm in arm. One morning the Judge came in. "I didn’t know but you had left this place," he said, standing near the door and looking about to search for the old memories, Howard mused. "No, sir. The fact is I may not move to any other office in this town." "In this town!" the old man repeated. "What other town is there?" To a Chicago man that ought to have established his complete soundness of mind. "I can give you credit for all sorts of—let me say, weakness—but I cannot see why you should be so foolish as to leave this city." "You came at an early day," said Howard. "I might better my prospects by going to a town that is still in its early day." "Um, and come back broke. You haven’t stuffed that old suit of clothes yet." "There’s time enough for that, sir?" "What! Then you really intend to do it?" "Didn’t you command me?" "None of your banter." The Judge walked over to the old iron safe, with the names Elbridge & Bodney slowly rusting into the invisible past, put his hand upon it and stood there with his head bowed. From the street came the sharp clang of a fireman’s gong, and the old man sprang back. "There is a fire somewhere," said Howard. "There is, sir; it is here," the Judge replied, putting his hand on his breast. Yes, it was now only too evident that his mind was diseased. The young man went to him, took his hand, looked into his eyes. "I beg of you to believe that my love for you is as strong as ever. I don’t know how to humble myself, for you have taught me independence, but I would get down on my knees to you if—" The old man threw his hand from him and hastened from the room. In the hall he encountered the opium eating doctor. "Why, my dear Judge, I am surprised to see you out." "And you will be still more surprised if you don’t get out of my way." "But won’t you stop a while for old-time’s sake?" "I will do nothing, sir, but attend to my own affairs, and I request you to do the same." "Of course, yes, of course. Well, drop in when you are passing." The old doctor stepped up to the door of Howard’s office. The young man stood confronting him. "I have thought over what you said the other day concerning your father, and have come to the conclusion that you are right," said the doctor. "There is something wrong with him." "But I wish you wouldn’t irritate him. And, by the way, why did you tell him that I told you to go out to the house?" "Didn’t you request me to go?" "I certainly did not." "Well, really, I misunderstood you. By the way, someone told me that you intended to give up this office. It is a better one than mine, having the advantage of a better view, and I don’t know but I might take it."