John stepped forward."Daniels," he said, "it strikes me that your 'we's' are a bit frequent.Why are you interfering in this affair?"Mr.Daniels drew himself up."I am not interfering," he replied.
"My interest is purely that of a friend.AS a friend I told Miss Howes what your cousin said to me.She seemed to doubt my word.
In justice to myself I propose to prove that I have spoken the truth, that is all.So far I think I may say that I have proved it.Now I demand to know what you intend doing.Are you for Mrs.
Barnes or against her?"
"So you demand that, do you?"
"I do.Will you answer?"
"No."
"Ah ha! I thought not."
"I'll answer no demands from you.Why should I? If Mrs.Barnes or Miss Howes asks me I will answer, of course.""Mr.Kendrick--" began Thankful.Emily interrupted.
"Wait, Auntie," she said."He must answer me first.Mr.Kendrick, when that man came to you with his 'orders,' as you call them, you must have had some opportunity to speak.Why didn't you refuse at once?"For the first time John hesitated."Well," he said, slowly, "for one reason I was taken completely by surprise.""So was Aunt Thankful, when he came to her.But she refused.""And, for another, there were certain circumstances which made it hard to refuse point-blank.In a way, I suppose Mr.Kendrick was justified in assuming that I would work for his interests.Iaccepted his retaining fee.You remember that I hesitated before doing so, but--but I did accept, and I have acted as his attorney since.I--""Stop! I did not ask for excuses.I ask you, as Mr.Daniels asked, are you for my cousin or against her?""And I ask you what is Mr.Daniels' warrant for asking me anything?""Answer my question! Will you fight for my cousin's rights, or have you sold yourself to--to this benefactor of yours?"John flushed at the repetition of the word.
"I have tried to give value received for whatever benefactions have come my way," he said, coldly."This matter may be different; in a way it is.But not as Mr.Holliday Kendrick sees it.When a lawyer accepts a retaining fee--not for one case but for all cases which his client may give him--he is, by the ethics of his profession, honor bound to--""Honor!" scornfully."Suppose we omit the 'honor'.""That is not easy to do.I AM my cousin's attorney.But, as Mrs.
Barnes' friend and yours, I--"
Emily stamped her foot."Friend!" she cried."I don't care for such friends.I have heard enough.I don't wish to hear any more.
You were right, Mr.Daniels.I apologize for doubting your word.
Aunt Thankful, you must settle this yourself.I--I am through.
I--I am going.Please don't stop me."
She was on her way to the door of the dining-room.Heman Daniels called her name.
"One minute, Miss Howes," he said."I trust you will not forget you have one friend who will be only too glad to work for Mrs.
Barnes' interests and yours.I am at your service.""Thank you, thank you, Mr.Daniels.I--I have no doubt we shall need your services.But please don't--"John Kendrick was at her side.
"Miss Howes--Emily--" he pleaded."Don't misunderstand me."She burst out at him like, as Captain Obed said afterward, "an August thunder tempest.""Misunderstand!" she repeated."I don't misunderstand.Iunderstand quite well.Don't speak to me again."The door closed behind her.Thankful, after an instant's hesitation, hurried out after her.
"Excuse me, gentlemen," said Daniels, and followed Mrs.Barnes.
Captain Obed turned to his friend.
"For the Lord sakes, John!" he shouted."What in the everlastin'
do you mean? What did you let her go that way for? Why didn't you tell her you wouldn't do it?"But Kendrick paid not the slightest attention.He was gazing at the door through which Emily and Thankful had disappeared.His face was white.
"John," repeated the captain.
"Hush!" ordered John.He strode to the door and opened it.
"Emily!" he cried."Emily!"
There was no answer.John waited a moment and then turned and walked to the window, where he raised the shade and stood looking out.
"John," said the captain again.
"Hush! Don't say anything to me now."
So Captain Obed did not speak.A few minutes later the dining-room door opened and Mr.Daniels entered.His expression was one of complete, not to say malicious, satisfaction.John turned at the opening of the door.
"Emily," he began.Then, seeing Daniels, he remained silent, looking at him.
"Kendrick," said Heman, with dignity, "in the matter which we have just been discussing you will hereafter deal with me.That is Mrs.
Barnes' wish and also Miss Howes'."
John did not reply.Once more he walked to the door and opened it.
"Miss Howes!" he called."Emily! If you will let me explain--Emily!"
"I'll go fetch her," declared Captain Obed.John pushed him back.
"Don't interfere, Captain," he said, sharply."Emily!"No answer.Daniels made the next remark.
"I'm afraid you don't get the situation, Kendrick," he said.
"Neither Miss Howes nor Mrs.Barnes cares to see you or speak with you.After this you are to deal with me.They have asked me, as a FRIEND," emphasizing the word, "to act as their representative in this and all matters."John turned and looked at the speaker.
"In all matters?" he asked, slowly.
"Yes sir, in all."
"And they refuse to see me?"
"It would--er--seem so....Is there anything further, Kendrick?
If not then this affair between your--er--client and mine would appear to be a matter of skill for you and me to contest.We'll see who wins."John still looked at him.
"So that's it then," he said, after a moment."You and I are to determine which is the better lawyer?""So it would seem.Though, considering my record and experience, Idon't know that--"
"That such a test is necessary? I don't know that it is, either.
But we'll have it."
He walked from the room and they heard him ascending the stairs.
Captain Obed swore aloud.Heman Daniels laughed.
