something inside of him strove to suppress them--as if a shamed hand
reached out from his heart to brush the whole offense into decent hiding
with one quick sweep.

This time he took care that Nancy should not meet his father. Yet he
walked the streets with him as before--walking defiantly and with shame
those streets through which he had once led the perfect father in festal
parade, to receive the applause of a respectful populace. Now he went
forth awkwardly, doggedly, keen for signs that others saw what he did, and
quick to burn with bitter, unreasoning resentment, when he detected that
they did so. Once his father rallied him upon his "grumpiness"; then he
grew sullen--though trying to smile--thinking with mortification of his
grandfather. He understood the old man now.

He was glad when the week came to an end. Bruised, bewildered, shamed, but
loyal still and resentful toward others who might see as he did, he was
glad when his father went--this time as Professor Alfiretti, doing a
twenty-minute turn of hypnotism and mind-reading with the Gus Levy
All-Star Shamrock Vaudeville, playing the "ten-twenty-thirties," whatever
they were!




CHAPTER XI

THE STRONG PERSON'S NARRATIVE


Near the close of the following winter came news of the father's death.