“Really,” said Mr. Wygant coldly, “you will have to solve that problem for yourself.”
“Apparently, I should have to take part in the scramble for money--if it's only money that counts.”
“Young man,” said the other, “I feel sorry for you--you will get some hard knocks from the world before you get through. You will have to learn to take life as you find it. Perhaps many of us would make it different, if we could have our way. But you will find that life is a hard battle. It is a struggle for existence, and the people who survive are the ones who are best fitted--”
And suddenly Samuel raised his hand. “I thank you, Mr. Wygant,” he said gravely, “but I have been all through that part of it before.”
“I couldn't explain,” said he. “You wouldn't understand me. I see that you are another of the followers of Herbert Spencer. And that's all right--only WHY do you belong to the church? Why do you pretend to follow Jesus---”
And suddenly Mr. Wygant rose to his feet. “This is quite too much,” he said. “I must ask you to leave my house.”
“Not another word!” exclaimed the other. “Please leave the house!”
Samuel had had nothing to eat since morning, but he did not feel hungry. He was faint from grief and despair. To encounter a man of the world like Mr. Wygant, cold and merciless and masterful--that was a terrible ordeal for him. The man seemed to him like some great fortress of evil; and what could he do, save to gaze at it in impotent rage?
He went home, and Sophie met him at the door. “I thought you wanted an early supper, Samuel,” said she.
“You had something to do at the church tonight!”
“Yes,” he recollected, “there's to be a vestry meeting, and I have to light up. But I'm tired of the church work.”
“Tired of the church work!” gasped the child. “Yes,” he said. And then to the amazed and terrified family, he told the story of his day's experiences.
Sophie listened, thrilling with excitement. “And you went to see Mr. Wygant!” she cried in awe. “Oh, Samuel, how brave of you!”
“He ordered me out of his house,” said the boy bitterly. “And Dr. Vince has gone back on me--I have no one at all to help.”
Sophie came to him and flung her arms about him. “You have us, Samuel!” she exclaimed. “We will stand by you--won't we mother?”