d he
strode indoors, unannounced. As he reached the bedroom door, Mrs. Ripon
was coming out, red in the face and spluttering with rage, arguing with
Trimmer, the valet; and the old man's voice could be heard, raised to a
high treble, querulously storming over the usual domestic trifles.

Dick stepped into the strange room, and saluted his relative.

"Good-afternoon, grandfather. I've called to see you to say good-bye," he
said, cheerily.

"I don't want to see you, sir," snapped the old man, raising himself on
his hands, and positively spitting the words out. His previous fit of
anger flowed into the present interview like a stream temporarily dammed
and released.

"I am going away to the war, grandfather, and I may never return."

"And a good job, too, sir--a good job, too."

Dick's teeth were hard set. The insult had to be endured.

"Don't come asking me for money, sir, because you won't get it."

"No, grandfather, I have enough, thank you. Your generosity has touched
me, after your close-fis--your talks about economy, I mean."

"Generosity--eh?" snarled the spluttering old man. "No sarcasm, if you
please. You insolent rascal!" He positively clawed the air, and his eyes
gleamed. "I'll teach you your duty to your elders, sir. I've signed two
checks for you. Do you think I'm going to be bled to death like a pig
with its wizen slit?"

"I want no more money," cried the young man, hotly. "You know that
perfectly well, grandfather."

"That's good news, then."

The old man subsided and collapsed into his pillows.

"I merely came to thank you, and to shake you by the hand. I am answering
a patriotic call; and, if I fall in the war, you'll have no heir but my
mother."

"Don't flatter yourself that you're my heir, sir. I'll have you know
you're not, sir. No delusions. You need expect nothing from me."

Dick gave a despairing sigh, and turned away.

"Well, then, good-bye, grandfather. If I get shot--"

"Go and get shot, sir--and be damned to you!" cried the old man.

"You are in a bad temper, grandfather. I've said my adieu. You have
always misunderstood and abused me. Good-bye. I'll offend you no
longer."

The young man stalked out haughtily, and old Herresford collapsed again;
but he tried to rally. His strength failed him. He leaned over the side
of his bed, gasping from his outburst, and called faintly:

"Dick! Dick! I'm an old man. I never mean what I say. I'll pay--"

The last words were choked wit