to show me the error of my ways.
I suppose I ought to thank you for it; but I have always said that it
is not the wicked people who are to be feared in this world, or who do
the most harm. We know them; we can prepare for them, 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. There is an aunt, perhaps, or an uncle or two; and sometimes,
even to-day, there is the chance Samaritan."

Van Bibber picked up his high hat from the table, looked into it
critically, and settled it on his head. "Good-night," he said, and
walked slowly towards the door. He had his hand on the knob, when Mr.
Caruthers raised his head.

"Wait just one minute, please, Mr. Van Bibber?" asked Mr. Caruthers.

Van Bibber stopped with a prompt obedience which would have led one to
conclude that he might ha