"It is a lie," he said. "Take it back." "I have every reason to believe it is true, and I won't take it back." This was too much for Robert, who was a boy of spirit, and had been devotedly attached to his father. "Take it back!" he repeated in a tone of menace. "Do you think I would take it back at the order of a whipper-snapper like you?" sneered his step-father. Robert waited to hear no more. His affection and reverence for his father were so strong that he felt outraged by the insult to his memory. He made a sudden attack upon his step-father, so impetuous that it dashed Mr. Talbot to the ground. The man was very much frightened. His encounter with the dog showed that he was a coward, and though he, a grown person, was attacked by a boy, he seemed helpless and over-whelmed. "Ah--what does this mean?" he gasped. "It means that I won't allow you or any other man to insult my father's memory," answered Robert fiercely. "I will have you arrested," said Talbot venomously. "Do as you please," returned Robert contemptuously. He sprang to his feet, and without waiting for Mr. Talbot to rise, entered the house and sought his mother, who had not witnessed the fracas. The time had been brief, but he had already made up his mind to do what had been in his mind for some time. He would leave home and seek his fortune in the great world. He felt that to stay at home any longer--to live under the same roof as his step-father--would be absolutely impossible. He was not afraid to depend upon his own exertions. He was young, well-educated, strong, and had confidence in his own ability to earn a living. He would be sorry to leave his mother of course, but his mother didn't seem to belong to him now that she was the wife of a man whom he despised. Leaving James Talbot to pick himself up at his leisure, he sought his mother, who was in the sitting room, engaged in sewing. She noticed the flush upon Robert's face, and his excited air, and asked at once, "What's the matter, Robert? You look disturbed." "I am disturbed, mother." "What is it? Tell me about it." "I got into a dispute with Mr. Talbot." "I wish you could be friendly with him." "It is impossible, mother. He is always irritating me. This time he insulted my father's memory." "How did he do that?" "He said father was a man of intemperate habits." "Surely he did not mean it," said his mother, looking troubled. "I don't know whether he meant it or not. I only know that he said it. And now, mother, you mustn't take too hard what I am going to say to you." "What is it?" inquired Mrs. Talbot nervously. "I have made up my mind to leave home." "Surely you would not do that," said his mother startled. "Yes, it is the best way. I can't live under the same roof as Mr. Talbot. Besides I am now sixteen. It is time I was earning my own living." "But that is not necessary, Robert. I have enough for you."