arrived at little save a vague feeling of offence toward the
father who had been so ready to condemn him. In one way he did not
blame the old gentleman for refusing aid. This episode was the
culmination of a long series of reckless exploits. Mr. Anthony had
argued, threatened, even implored with tears in his eyes, all to
no purpose. Just the same, it hurt to have one's father so willing
to believe the worst. The two had never understood each other;
they did not understand each other now. And they might have been
such good pals! Darwin K. did not believe in miracles--Well,
perhaps Kirk was hopelessly bad. The young man did not care much,
one way or the other; but he shut his teeth grimly and wagered he
could make good if he really chose to try. He half decided to make
the experiment just to show what he could do, but he was at a loss
where to begin. Anybody could be successful who really wanted to--
every book said that; the hard part was to get started.

One thing was clear, at least: he could stay here no longer as the
Cortlandts' guest--he had already incurred an obligation which he
would have difficulty in discharging. Yet how could he explain his
change of front? Mrs. Cortlandt, he felt sure, would understand
and come to his assistance with good advice, but he shrank
instinctively from laying the facts before her husband. It was a
deuced unpleasant necessity, and he detested unpleasant
necessities--necessities of any sort, in fact. Still, there was
nothing else for it, so, conquering his sense of humiliation as
best he could, he called up the Cortlandts' suite.

Edith answered, saying that her husband was out; then, in response
to his request, she came down herself.