"You were
always hard on me!"
"Maybe so," Trent answered, "yet you'd have died in D.T. before now
but for me! I kept you from it as far as I could. I'm going to
keep you from it now!"
Monty turned a woebegone face around the little room.
"I don't know," he said; "I'm comfortable here, and I'm too old,
Trent, to live your life. I'd begin again, Trent, I would indeed,
if I were ten years younger. It's too late now! I couldn't live
a day without something to keep up my strength!"
"He's quite right, Trent," Da Souza put in hastily. "He's too old
to start afresh now. He's comfortable here and well looked after;
make him an allowance, or give him a good lump sum in lieu of all
claims. I'll draw it out; you'll sign it, won't you, Monty? Be
reasonable, Trent! It's the best course for all of us!"
But Trent shook his head. "I have made up my mind," he said. "He
must come with me. Monty, there is the little girl!
"Too late," Monty moaned; "look at me!"
"But if you could leave her a fortune, make her magnificent presents?"
Monty wavered then. His dull eyes shone once more!
"If I could do that," he murmured.
"I pledge my word that you shall," Trent answered. Monty rose up.
"I am ready," he said simply. "Let us start at once.
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