you regard my interest in the boy as
harmful?" inquired the judge, in a tone of shocked surprise.

"I regard it as a calamity," said Mahaffy, with cruel candor.

"And how about you, Solomon?"

"Equally a calamity. Mr. Price, you don't seem able to grasp just what
we look like!"

"The mind's the only measure of the man, Solomon. If anybody can talk to
me and be unaware that they are conversing with a gentleman, all I can
say is their experience has been as pitiable as their intelligence is
meager. But it hurts me when you intimate that I stand in the way of the
boy's opportunity."

"Price, what do you; suppose we look like--you and I?"

"In a general way, Solomon, I am conscious that our appeal is to the
brain rather than the eye," answered the judge, with dignity.

"I reckon even you couldn't do a much lower trick than use the boy as a
stepping-stone," pursued Mahaffy.

"I don't see how you have the heart to charge me with such a purpose--I
don't indeed, Solomon." The judge spoke with deep feeling; he was really
hurt.

"Well, you let the boy have his chance, and don't you stick in your
broken oar," cried Mahaffy fiercely.

The judge rolled over on his back, and stared up at the heavens.

"This is a new aspect of your versatile nature, Solomon. Must I regard
you as a personally emancipated moral influence, not committed to the
straight and narrow path yourself, but still close enough to it to keep
my feet from straying?" he at length demanded.

Mahaffy having spoken his mind, preserved a stony silence.

The judge got up and replenished the camp-fire, which had burnt low,
then squatting before it, he peered into the flames.

"You'll not deny, Solomon, that Miss Malroy exhibited a real affection
for Hannibal?" he began.

"Now don't you try to borrow money of her, Price," said Mahaffy,
returning to the attack.

"Solomon--Solomon--how can you?"

"That'll be your next move. Now let her alone; let Hannibal have his
luck as it comes to him."

"You seem to forget, sir, that I still bear the name of gentleman!" said
the judge.

Mahaffy gave way to acid merriment.

"Well, see that you are not tempted to forget that," he observed.

"If I didn't know your sterling qualities, Solomon, and pay homage to
'em, I might be tempted to take offense," said the judge.

"It's like pouring water on a duck's back to talk to you, Price; nothing
strikes in."

"On the contrary, I am at all times ready to listen to reas