“I could, but it would be hard on a good many of them.  They count on it a good deal.  Some of them have given up other pleasures they might have had on account of it.  Tommy has, for instance.  His uncle asked him to go to Worcester with him in his car, and he refused because of his date with me.  They are all bribed to church and Sunday School by the means.  One of the things Scouting stands for is sticking to your job and your word.  I don’t think it is exactly up to the Scoutmaster to dodge his responsibilities when he preaches the other kind of thing.  Of course, if it were a life and death matter, it would be different.  It isn’t.  I have waited a good many weeks to see Carlotta.  I can wait one more.”

Harrison Cressy grunted.  He hardly knew whether to fly into a rage with this extraordinary young man or to clap him on the back and tell him he liked him better and better every minute.  He contented himself by repeating a remark he had made earlier in the day.

“You are a darn fool, young man.”  Then he added, half against his will, “But I like your darnfoolness, hang me if I don’t!”

Phil had a strenuous two hours in the store with never a minute to get at his father.  It was not until the last customer had departed, the last clerk fled away and the clock striking eleven that the father and son were alone.

Philip came over to where the older man stood.  His heart smote him when he saw how utterly worn and weary the other looked, as if he had suddenly added a full ten years to his age since morning.  His characteristic buoyancy seemed to have deserted him for once.

“Dad, I’ve not had a minute alone with you all day.  I am sorry Mr. Cressy bothered you about that blue sky proposition of his.  I never would have let him if I had known.  Of course there was nothing in it.  I didn’t consider it for a minute.”

Stuart Lambert smiled wearily and sat down on the counter.

“I am afraid you have given up more than we realized, Philip, in coming into the store.  Mr. Cressy gave me a glimpse into things that I knew nothing about.  You should have told us.”

“There was nothing to tell.  I’ve given up nothing that was mine.  I told Carlotta all along she would have to come to me.  I couldn’t come to her.  My whole life is here with you.  It is what I have wanted ever since I had the sense to want anything but to enjoy my fool self.  But even then I didn’t appreciate what it would be like to be here with you.  I couldn’t, till I had tried it and found out first hand what kind of a man my dad was.  I am absolutely satisfied.  If Mr. Cressy had offered me a million a year I wouldn’t have taken it.  It wouldn’t have been the slightest temptation even—­” he smiled a little sadly—­“even with Carlotta thrown in.  I don’t want to get Carlotta that way.”

“You say you are satisfied, Philip.  Maybe that is so.  But you are not happy.”