"There's
good stock in the boy; I always knew it--even when he acted like a
yellow pup. You see, Phil, that my treatment of him was the proper
treatment. I was right in refusing to mollycoddle him or put up with any
of his callow, unbaked impudence. You know yourself that you wanted me
to let up on him--make all kinds of excuses. Why, man, if I had given
him an inch leeway he'd have been up to his ears in debt. But I was
firm. He saw I'd stand no fooling. He didn't dare contract debts which
he couldn't pay. So now, Phil, you can appreciate the results of my
attitude toward him."
"I can, indeed," said Selwyn thoughtfully.
"I think I've made a man of him," persisted Austin.
"He's certainly a manly fellow," nodded Selwyn.
"You admit it?"
"Certainly, Austin."
"Well, I'm glad of it. You thought me harsh--oh, I know you did!--but I
don't blame you. I knew what I was about. Why, Phil, if I hadn't taken
the firm stand I took that boy would have been running to Nina and
Eileen--he did go to his sister once, but he never dared try it
again!--and he'd probably have borrowed money of Neergard and--by Jove!
he might even have come to you to get him out of his scrapes!"
"Oh, scarcely that," protested Selwyn with grave humour.
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