"What do you mean by that ?" he growled.
"I mean," returned Patches, "that Joe is free to go with you, or not, as he chooses.

Joe," he continued, addressing the cause of the controversy, "you need not go with this man.

If you wish, you can come with me.

I'll take care of you; and I'll give you a chance to make a man of yourself." Nick laughed coarsely.

"So, that's your game, is it?
Well, it won't work.