Yet Dick got quickly up out of his chair, accepting the slowly proffered hand of the sophomore.
"That's better," smiled the lawyer.

"Now, I'll leave you two together for the moment." The lawyer closed the door behind him as he stepped into the outer office.
Fred Ripley glanced covertly at Dick, who had remained standing.
Even as big a sneak as young Ripley had shown himself at times to be, he knew perfectly well that he owed it, even to himself, to try to be gracious with the lad who had saved his life.
But Dick said nothing, nor did he glance particularly at the sophomore.
That made it all the harder for Fred to find something to say.
The clock in the room ticked.

Dick, to relieve the awkwardness of the situation, strolled over to a window and stood looking out.
That, therefore, was the situation when Lawyer Ripley came back into the room.
"What a jovial, friendly pair!" railed the lawyer, who held a slip of paper in his hand, as he advanced toward the freshman.
"Prescott," declared the lawyer, "I can't tell you what is in my heart.

I can't even pay you adequately for what you have done for me and for my boy.

But I ask you to accept this as a slight indication, only, of what I feel." Dick took the paper, glancing at it curiously.