“The law requires that you should give him half the road.” “I hope, Mr. Ross, you don’t justify that horrid boy in running into Philip?” said Mrs. Ross, sharply. “No, my dear; I consider that he acted very badly. But, in order to make him amenable to the law for the damage Philip’s team suffered, it must appear that Philip gave him half the road.” “Then the law ought to be altered,” said Mrs. Ross, with more anger than reason. “I’ve no doubt that Philip gave him all the room he needed.” “When you were thrown out, did the heartless boy ride on and leave you to your fate?” asked the mother. “No; he got out and asked me if I was hurt,” Philip admitted, reluctantly. “Much he cared!” said Mrs. Ross, contemptuously. “I suppose he was afraid he would be put in prison if I was killed,” said Philip. “Yes, that was his motive, undoubtedly. He didn’t offer to help you, I suppose?” “No; I asked him to, and he wouldn’t,” answered Philip, glad that he could blacken poor Harry’s character. “The unfeeling young villain!” ejaculated Mrs. Ross. “He ought to be put in the State’s prison!” “Do you think he can be?” asked Philip, eagerly. “Of course he can, if your father exerts himself as he ought.” “Nonsense, Lucinda!” said Colonel Ross, who was not a fool. “It was a boyish misunderstanding.” “You may call it that,” retorted Mrs. Ross, raising her voice. “I call it a high-handed outrage. The boy ought to be arrested. Are you going to do anything about it, Philander Ross?” Mrs. Ross generally addressed her husband by his Christian name when she was angry with him. “I will tell you what I will do, Lucinda. I will see Mead, and tell him that a boy who acts in that way is not fit to drive for him.” “That’s right, father. Make him discharge Harry. Then he’ll have to go to the poorhouse, or beg.” “And a very suitable punishment for him,” said Mrs. Ross, approvingly. “I don’t quite like to take the boy’s means of living away from him,” said Colonel Ross, who was by no means as unfeeling as his wife and son. “That would make his mother suffer, and she has been guilty of no crime.” “She will uphold him in his iniquity, you may rest assured, Mr. Ross,” said his wife, nodding emphatically. “If she had brought up the boy to be respectful to his superiors this would not have happened.” “He won’t be able to pay damages if he loses his place,” said Colonel Ross. “I don’t care. I want him discharged from his situation.” “Well, Lucinda,” said her husband, shrugging his shoulders, “you had better undertake the management of the affair. I am very busy, and can’t spare the necessary time.” “I will!” said Mrs. Ross, with alacrity. “I will call on the boy’s mother, and also on Mr. Mead.” “Don’t be too extreme, Lucinda. Remember, it isn’t a hanging matter.” “I am not so sure but it ought to be. My poor child might have broken his neck. Oh, it makes my blood run cold when I think that he might be lying lifeless before me at this moment.”