The news that Barry must go away had been a blow to Leila's childish
dreams of immediate happiness. She knew that Barry was bitter, that he
rebelled against the plans which were being made for him, but she did
not know that Gordon had told the General frankly and flatly the reason
for this delay in the matrimonial arrangements.
The General, true to his ancient code, had protested that "a man could
drink like a gentleman," that Barry's good blood would tell. "His wild
oats aren't very wild--and every boy must have his fling."
Gordon had listened impatiently, as to an ancient and outworn
philosophy. "The business world doesn't take into account the wild
oats of a man, General," he had said. "The new game isn't like the old
one,--the convivial spirit is not the popular one among men of affairs.
And that isn't the worst of it, with Barry's temperament there's danger
of a breakdown, moral and physical. If it were not for that, he could
come into your office and practice law, as you suggest. But he's got
to get away from Washington. He's got to get away from old
associations, and you'll pardon me for saying it, he's got to get away
from Leila. She loves him, and is sorry for him, even though we've
kept from her the knowledge of his fault. She thinks we are all
against him and her sympathy weakens him. It was the same with her
mother, Constance tells me. She wouldn't believe that her boy could be
anything but perfect, and John Ballard wasn't strong enough to
counteract her influence. Mary was the only one, and now that it has
come to an actual crisis, even Mary blames me for trying to do what I
know is best for Barry. I want to take him over to the other side, cut
him away from all that hampers him here, and bring him back to you
stronger in fiber and more of a man."
The General shook his head. "Perhaps," he said, "but I can't bear to
think of the hurt heart of my little Leila."
"They should never have been engaged," Gordon said, "but it won't make
matters any better to let things go on. If Leila doesn't marry Barry,
she won't have to bear the burdens he will surely bring to her. She'd
better be unhappy with you to take care of her, than tied to him and
unhappy."
"But I'm an old man, and she is such a child. Life for me is so short,
and for her so long."