When the Secretary has a charge to bring against me that a
gentleman would bring, I shall be ready to answer it. A charge like
this it is an insult to expect me to notice."
He walked toward the door, as he finished, and turned to bow as he put
his hand on the latch.
"Oh, come now, Fenton," Mr. Staggchase said confusedly, "don't go off
that way. Of course"--
He hesitated, not knowing how to continue, and another member took up
the word.
"All that is nonsense, of course. If the servant was mistaken, why
can't you say so, and put yourself right with the committee?"
"Because," Fenton answered, throwing up his head, "I prefer retaining
my self-respect even to putting myself right with this or any other
committee. Good morning."
He went out quickly. He felt that this was a good point for an exit,
and he wished to get away lest he should be unable to keep up to the
level of the scene as he had played it. So thoroughly was his whole
attitude consciously theatrical, that he smiled to himself outside the
door as the whimsical reflection crossed his mind that he really
deserved a call before the curtain. Then he remembered how awkward he
should find it to be called back; and with a smile he ran down stairs
to get his hat and coat, and hurried out of the house into the
darkening spring afternoon.
When Fenton had gone, the members of the committee sat looking at each
other in that condition of bewilderment which could easily turn to
either indignation or contrition as the direction might be determined
by the first impulse.
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