Get that ?" "Ho! Sour grapes!" returned the judge, stung to a biting wit by the coarse form of address.

But Dave played music above the taunt.
* * * * * Nevertheless, he was not wholly surprised the following day when, politely invited to another conference at the bank, old Gideon Whipple, alone there, put the matter of his future somewhat after the manner of Judge Penniman, though far less crudely.

Old Gideon sat across the table from him, and after Dave had put a cigar in his upper left-hand waistcoat pocket he became considerate but pointed.
"My son and I have been talking, Mr.Cowan, and we agree that something is due you as the boy's father.

We want to show you every consideration--show it liberally.

You seem to have led rather an--shall we say an unsettled life up to this time?
Not that it's anything to be criticised; you follow your own tastes, as every man should.