“Rather!” said Dick.  And suddenly the resentment died out of his face, and he began to laugh.  “All right, sir!  Break me if you like!  I’ll come out on top somehow.”

“Confound you!  Do you think you can defy me?” fumed Fielding.

“I’m sure of it,” said Dick.  “I can defy the whole world if I choose.  There is a certain portion of a man, you know, that can’t be beat if he plays fair, however hard he’s hammered.  It’s the rule of the game.”

“Confound you!” the squire said again, and sprang fiercely to his feet.  “Don’t talk to me!  You go too far.  You always have.  You behave as if—­as if—­”

“As if I were my own master,” said Dick quietly.  “Well, I am that, sir.  It’s the one thing in life I can lay claim to.”

“And a lord of creation into the bargain, eh?” the squire flung at him, as he tramped to the end of the room.

Dick rose punctiliously and stood waiting, a man unimposing of height and build yet possessing that innate dignity which no adversity can impair.  He said nothing, merely stood and watched the squire with half-comic resignation till he came tramping back.

Fielding’s face as he turned was heavy with displeasure, but as his look fell upon the offender a sudden softening began to struggle with the deep lines about his mouth.  It was like a gleam of sunshine on a dark day.

He went to Dick, and took him by the shoulder.  “Confound you!” he said for the third time.  “You’re just like your mother.  Pig-headed as a mule, but—­”

“Are mules pig-headed?” said Dick flippantly.

The squire shook him.  “Be quiet, you prig!  I won’t be dictated to by you.  Look here, Dick!” His voice changed abruptly.  “I’m not ordering.  I’m asking.  That boy is a mill-stone round your neck.  Let him go!  He’ll be happy enough.  I’ll see to that.  Give him up like a dear chap!  Then you’ll be free—­free to chuck this absurd, farcical existence you’re leading now—­free to make your own way in the world—­free to marry and be happy.”  Dick made a slight movement under the hand that held him, but he did not attempt to speak.  The squire went on.  “You can’t hope for any of those things under existing conditions.  It wouldn’t be fair to ask any woman to share your present life.  It would be almost an insult with this infernal incubus hanging on you.  Can’t you see my point?  Can’t you sacrifice your damned obstinacy?  You’d never regret it.  You’re ruining yourself, Dick.  Chance after chance has gone by, and you’ve let ’em go.  But you can’t afford to go on.  You’re in your prime now, but let me tell you a man’s prime doesn’t last.  A time will come when you’ll realize it’s too late to make a start, and you’ll look back and curse the folly that induced you to saddle yourself with a burden too heavy for you to bear.”

He paused.  Dick was looking straight before him with a set, grim face that gave no indication of what was passing in his mind.