"
"Why, man!" exclaimed Lapham, with astonishment; "if I
can stand it, YOU can!"
"No," said Corey, with a sick look, "that doesn't follow.
You may denounce yourself, if you will; but I have my reasons
for refusing to hear you--my reasons why I CAN'T hear you.
If you say another word I must go away."
"I don't understand you," faltered Lapham, in bewilderment,
which absorbed even his shame.
"You exaggerate the effect of what has happened,"
said the young man. "It's enough, more than enough,
for you to have mentioned the matter to me, and I think
it's unbecoming in me to hear you."
He made a movement toward the door, but Lapham stopped
him with the tragic humility of his appeal. "Don't go
yet! I can't let you. I've disgusted you,--I see that;
but I didn't mean to. I--I take it back."
"Oh, there's nothing to take back," said Corey, with a
repressed shudder for the abasement which he had seen.
"But let us say no more about it--think no more.
There wasn't one of the gentlemen present last night
who didn't understand the matter precisely as my father
and I did, and that fact must end it between us two."
He went out into the larger office beyond, leaving Lapham
helpless to prevent his going. It had become a vital
necessity with him to think the best of Lapham, but his mind
was in a whirl of whatever thoughts were most injurious.
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