and checkmate them. It is the well-meaning fool who makes all
the trouble. For no one knows him until he discloses himself,
and the mischief is done before he can be stopped. I think,
if you will allow me to say so, that you have demonstrated my
theory pretty thoroughly, and have done about as much needless
harm for one evening as you can possibly wish. And so, if you
will excuse me," he continued, sternly, and moving from his
place, "I will ask to say good-night, and will request of you
that you grow older and wiser and much more considerate before
you come to see me again."

Van Bibber had flushed at Mr. Caruthers's first words,
and had then grown somewhat pale, and straightened himself
visibly. He did not move when the elder man had finished, but
cleared his throat, and then spoke with some little
difficulty. "It is very easy to call a man a fool," he said,
slowly, "but it is much harder to be called a fool and not to
throw the other man out of the window. But that, you see,
would not do any good, and I have something to say to you
first. I am quite clear in my own mind as to my position, and
I am not going to allow anything you have said or can say to
annoy me much until I am through. There will be time enough
to resent it then. I am quite well aware that I did an
unconventional thing in coming here--a bold thing or a foolish
thing, as you choose--but the situation is pretty bad, and I
did as I would have wished to be done by if I had had a child
going to the devil and didn't know it. I should have been
glad to learn of it even from a stranger. However," he said,
smiling grimly, and pulling his cape about him, "there are
other kindly disposed people in the world besides fathers.