"Why won't you take it?" demanded the captain.
"Oh, I don't know. The proposition doesn't appeal to me as strongly as
it should, perhaps. Cousin Holliday and I ARE cousins, but we--well, we
differ in other ways besides the size of our incomes. When I was in New
York I went to him at one time. I was--I needed--well, I went to him. He
consented to see me and he listened to what I had to say, but he was
not too cordial. He didn't ask me to call again. Now he seems changed,
I admit. Remembers perfectly well that I am his father's brother's
only child and all that, and out of the kindness of his heart offers me
employment. But--but I don't know."
No one spoke for a moment. Then Emily broke the silence.
"You don't know?" she repeated, rather sharply. "Why not, may I ask?"
"Oh, I don't, that's all. For one thing, there is just a little too much
condescension in my dear cousin's manner. I may be a yellow dog, but
I don't like to sit up and beg when my master threatens to throw me a
bone. Perhaps I'm particular as to who that master may be."
Again it was Emily who spoke.
"Perhaps you are--TOO particular," she said. "Can you afford to be so
particular?"
"Probably not. But, you see, there is another thing. There is a question
of professional ethics involved. If I take that retainer I am bound in
honor to undertake any case Cousin Holliday may give me. And--and, I'm
not sure I should care to do that. You know how I feel about a
lawyer's duty to his client and his duty to himself.
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