I mean nothing offensive, sir; I
mean what I said I meant, and no more. It is not for me to condemn--"
"I should think not!" snorted the old man.
"Well, sir, that is my reason. And further--"
He stopped, doubtful.
"Well, sir--what further?"
"Well, I cannot come to the church with you at Easter."
His father wheeled round savagely in his chair.
"Father, hear me out, and then say what you will.... I say I cannot come
with you to church at Easter, because I am a Catholic. But I do not wish
to trouble or disobey you openly. I will go away from home for that
time. Good Mr. Barton will cause no trouble; he wants nothing but peace.
Father, you are not just to me. You have taught me too much, or you have
not given me time enough--"
Again he broke off, knowing that he had said what he did not mean, but
the old man was on him like a hawk.
"Not time enough, you say? Well, then--"
"No, sir; I did not mean that," wailed Robin suddenly. "I do not mean
that I should change if I had a hundred years; I am sure I shall not.
But--"
"You said, 'Not time enough,'" said the other meditatively. "Perhaps if
I give you time--"
"Father, I beg of you to forget what I said; I did not mean to say it.
It is not true. But Marjorie said--"
"Marjorie! What has Marjorie to do with it?"
Robin found himself suddenly in deep waters. He had plunged and found
that he could not swim. This was the second mistake he had made in
saying what he did not mean.
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