第25章

We, the undersigned, exonerate Edwin Brigham of cheating in the poker game in Hampden Scarborough's rooms on Saturday evening, February 20, 18--.And we pledge ourselves never to speak of the matter either to each other or to any one else.

"I've signed first," said Scarborough, rising and holding the pen toward Chalmers."Now, you fellows sign.Chalmers!"Chalmers signed, and then Wilton.

"Take Chalmers away with you," said Scarborough to Wilton in an undertone."I've something to say to Brigham."When they were gone he again seated himself at his desk and, taking his check-book, wrote a check and tore it out.

"Now, listen to me, Brig," he said friendlily to Brigham, who seemed to be in a stupor."I've won about six hundred dollars from you, first and last--more, rather than less.Will that amount put you in the way of getting straight?""Yes," said Brigham, dully.

"Then here's a check for it.And here's the paper exonerating you.And--I guess you won't play again soon."The boy choked back his sobs.

"I don't know how I ever came to do it, Scarborough.Oh, I'm a dog, a dog! When I started to come here my mother took me up to her bedroom and opened the drawer of her bureau and took out a savings-bank book--it had a credit of twelve hundred dollars.

`Do you see that?' she said.`When you were born I began to put by as soon as I was able--every cent I could from the butter and the eggs--to educate my boy.And now it's all coming true,' she said, Scarborough, and we cried together.And----" Brigham burst into a storm of tears and sobs."Oh, how could I do it!"he said."How COULD I!"

"You've done wrong," said Scarborough, shakily, "but I've done much worse, Eddie.And it's over now, and everything'll be all right.""But I can't take your money, Scarborough.I must pay for what I've done.""You mean, make your mother pay.No, you must take it back, Brigham.I owe it to you--I owe it to your mother.This, is the butter and egg money that I--I stole from her."He put the papers into the boy's pocket."You and I are going to be friends," he went on.

"Come round and see me to-morrow--no, I'll look you up." He put out his hand and held Brigham's hand in a courage-giving grasp."And--I hope I'll have the honor of meeting your mother some day."Brigham could only look his feelings.Soon after he left Pierson came.His anger had evaporated and his chief emotion was dread lest Scarborough might still be angry."I want to take back----" he began eagerly, as soon as his head was inside the door.

"I know you do, but you shan't," replied Scarborough."What you said was true, what Olivia said was true.I've been acting like a blackguard.""No," said Pierson, "what I said was a disgraceful lie.Will you try to forget it, Scarborough?""FORGET it?" Scarborough looked at his friend with brilliant eyes."Never! So help me God, never! It's one of three things that have occurred to-day that I must never forget.""Then we can go on as before.You'll still be my friend?""Not STILL, Fred, but for the first time."He looked round the luxurious study with a laugh and a sigh.

"It'll be a ghastly job, getting used to the sort of surroundings I can earn for myself.But I've got to grin and bear it.We'll stay on here together to the end of the term--my share's paid, and besides, I'm not going to do anything sensational.Next year--we'll see."While Pierson was having his final cigarette before going to bed he looked up from his book to see before him Scarborough, even more tremendous and handsome in his gaudy pajamas.

"I wish to register a solemn vow," said he, with mock solemnity that did not hide the seriousness beneath."Hear me, ye immortal gods! Never again, never again, will I engage in any game with a friend where there is a stake.I don't wish to tempt.I don't wish to be tempted.""What nonsense!" said Pierson."You're simply cutting yourself off from a lot of fun.""I have spoken," said Scarborough, and he withdrew to his bedroom.When the door was closed and the light out he paused at the edge of the bed and said: "And never again, so long as he wishes to retain his title to the name man, will Hampden Scarborough take from anybody anything which he hasn't honestly earned."And when he was in bed he muttered: "I shall be alone, and Imay stay poor and obscure, but I'll get back my self-respect--and keep it--Pauline!"