"Oh, I'm careful enough. I guess if you stop to think a minute you'll
understand you got to take what I choose to say as I choose to say it!"

Langham sprang to his feet shaking with anger.

"No, by--" he began hoarsely.

"Sit down," said Gilmore coldly. "You can't afford to row with me;
anyhow, I ain't going to row with you. I'll tell you what I think of you
and what I expect of you, so sit down!"

There was a long pause. Gilmore gazed out the window. He seemed to watch
the hurrying snowflakes with no interest in Langham who was still
standing by his desk, with one shaking hand resting on the back of his
chair. Presently the lawyer resumed his seat and Gilmore turned toward
him.

"Don't talk about my quitting here, Marsh," he said menacingly. "That's
the kind of legal advice I won't have from you or any one else."

"You may as well make up your mind first as last to it," said Langham,
not regarding what Gilmore had just said. "I can't keep Moxlow quiet any
longer; the sentiment of the community is against gamblers. If you are
not a gambler, what are you?"

"You mean you are going to throw me over, you two?"

"With Moxlow it is a case of bread and butter; personally I don't care
whom you fleece, but I've got my living to make here in Mount Hope, too,
and I can't afford to go counter to public opinion."