It was now not merely the question of winning
Louise's love. Whether he could win her or not his determination grew
to refuse to obey his father's command. He revolted, right then and
there. Let his father keep his money. He, Lawford Tapp, would go to
work in any case and would support himself.
This was no small resolve on the part of the millionaire's son. He
could not remember of ever having put his hand into an empty pocket.
His demands on the paternal purse had been more reasonable than most
young men of his class perhaps, because of his naturally simple tastes
and the life he had led outside the classroom. Without having "gone
in" for athletics at Cambridge he was essentially an out-of-door man.
Nevertheless, to stand in open revolt against I. Tapp's command was a
very serious thing to do. Lawford appreciated his own shortcomings in
the matter of intellect. He knew he was not brilliant enough to make
his wit entirely serve him for daily bread--let alone cake and other
luxuries. If his father disinherited him he must verily expect to earn
his bread by the sweat of his brow.
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