"I do; so would others, if he were not vindictive, if he did not use his great financial strength against us." "I don't think he does this, certainly not to my knowledge. He only seeks to make all he can, like other business men." "Mr. Houghton, you haven't been very much in Charleston. Even your vacations have been spent mainly elsewhere, I think, and your mind has been occupied with your studies and athletics. You are more familiar with Greek and Roman history than with ours, and you cannot understand the feelings of persons like Captain Bodine and his cousin, old Mrs. Bodine, who passed through the agony of the war, and lost nearly everything--kindred, property, and what they deem liberty. You cannot understand your own father, who lost his son. You think of the present and future." Houghton again sighed deeply as he said: "I admit the force of all you say. I certainly cannot feel as they do, nor perhaps understand them." Then he added: "I wouldn't if I could. Why should I tie the millstone of the past about my neck?" "You should not do so; but you must make allowance for those to whom that past is more than the present or future can be." "Why can't they forgive and forget, as far as possible, as you do?" "Because people are differently constituted. Besides, young man, I am not old enough to be your grandmother. I was very young at the time of the war, and have not suffered as have others." "Grandmother, indeed! I should think that Mr. Willoughby would fall in love with you every day." "The grand passion has a rather prominent place in your thoughts just now. Some day you will be like Mr. Willoughby, and cotton, stocks, or their equivalents, will take a very large share of your thoughts." "Well, that day hasn't come yet. Even the wise man said there was a time for all things. How long must my probation last before I can come back for more advice?" "A week, at least" "Phew!" "You must think it all over, as I said before, calmly and conscientiously. I have tried to enable you to see the subject on all its sides, and I tell you again that you may find just as much opposition from your father as from Captain Bodine. He may have very different plans for you. Ella Bodine has nothing but her own good heart to give you, supposing you were able to persuade her to give that much." "That much would enrich me forever." "Your father wouldn't see it in that light. He may call her that designing little baker." "I hope he won't for God's sake. I never said a hot word to my father." "Never do so, then. If you lose your temper, all is lost. But we are anticipating. Sober, second thoughts may lead you to save yourself and others a world of trouble." "Oh! I've had second thoughts before. Good-by. At this hour, one week hence;" and he shook hands heartily. A moment later, he came rushing back from the hall, exclaiming: "There! See, what a blunderbuss I am! I forgot to thank you, which I do, with all my heart."