In that moment his mood changed.

The dismissal had been so curt, his pride rose in rebellion.

Finding Sexton in the front hall, he addressed him crisply.
"My bag will be ready in ten minutes." "Yes, sir; you are going away, sir ?" "Immediately.

A call to return to the city at once." "I am very sorry, sir," he said respectfully, yet in a tone of such earnestness, as to cause West to glance toward him sharply.

For an instant it was upon the lips of the younger man to ask a question, but Sexton turned away, and it remained unasked.