Mr. Bates nodded.

“And you knew what you were talking about—­no one better.  And for why?  Because it was your own story you were telling me, in the form of a parable.”

“You’re wrong there, William.”

“Not a bit.  You’d had one rat—­but, by Jupiter, he was a whooping big ’un, and he’d eaten your grain, and messed you up—­he’d ruined your business, and well-nigh broken your heart, and practically done for you.”

“Have you finished?” asked Mr. Bates, with dignity.

“Yes, sir—­almost;” and Dale in the most earnest manner besought his old friend to resist any further attacks from that wicked son.  “I do implore you, sir, not to be weak and fullish.  Don’t take him to your boosum.  He’s a rat still—­an’ he’ll gnaw and devour the little that’s left to you, so sure as I sit here.”

But it was all no use, as he could easily see.  Mr. Bates raised his eyes, moved his feet, and then spoke gently but proudly.

“I thank you, William, for your well-meant intentions.  I have listened to what you wished to say.  Now shall we talk of something else?”

“Yes—­but with just this one proviso added.  Will you remember that I am your banker, for the full half of what the banker’s worth?  If the pinch comes, draw on me.”

“I thank you again, William.  But I shan’t need help.”

“I think you will.”

“Then to speak quite truly, I couldn’t take help, William, I really couldn’t.”

“Why not?  Think of all you’ve done for me.  Don’t deny me the pleasure of doing something for you.”

“I’ll consider, William.  Please let it rest there.”

Dale could say no more and they both sat silent for a little while.  Then old Bates spoke again.

“William,” he said, “if you’ll excuse me, I really won’t stay.  You have—­to tell the truth—­agitated me.”

“Indeed I’m sorry, sir.  But don’t punish me by going.”

“I am not quite up to merry-making.”

Just then Norah arrived, carrying the lamp, and Dale turned to her for aid.

“Norah, speak for me.  Mr. Bates says he won’t stay.  Tell him how disappointed we shall be.”

“Oh, do stay, Mr. Bates,” said Norah.  “It’ll be such a disappointment to Mr. Dale.”

“Some other evening, Miss—­ah, Norah.  But you must excuse me this time.”

And, having picked up his hat and stick, Mr. Bates bade them good night.

Dale and Norah went out into the road and watched him as he walked away.

“There, Norah;” and Dale, slipping his arm within hers, drew her closer to his side.  “Look with all your eyes.  You’ll never see a better man than that.”

They watched him till he disappeared in the gathering darkness; and he seemed just like a pilgrim with his staff, slowly approaching the end of a cruelly long journey.

XXV

It was perhaps a month after this when Dale heard news which plainly indicated that the wicked son had completed his horrible task.  He had eaten up all that there was to eat.