father calls Inez Rodman by her right title. There's hope in that!"

"But what shall I do about Judith, Peter?"

"Might make a man of yourself, Doug!"

"What's the matter with me?" demanded Doug, indignantly.

"Douglas, you haven't a clean-cut idea to your name. And a kid of
seventeen as self-satisfied as you are isn't worth baiting a coyote trap
with."

"There's not a guy in the valley works harder than I do!"

"Right! Nor uses his brain less!"

"I suppose you mean I ought to go to college and let Judith go to the
devil."

"Judith's pretty good stuff, herself," protested Peter. "A half-baked kid
like you can't influence Judith!"

Douglas started to his feet. "By God, I will! You'll see!"

"There's only one way. Show yourself fit to influence her. Don't get a
grouch at me, Doug. I've come a long, hard, lonely road. And all because
I thought everybody was wrong but myself. I don't want your mother's son
to make the same mistake, if I can help it."

"I'm the unhappiest guy in the world!" cried Douglas, passionately.