On the contrary, it had rendered him independent and but little inclined to kiss the paternal rod.

In consequence his next cable was not conciliatory.
"Dismissing Gilman Looks more Like we acted through spite makes me appear contemptible Black is a toady will do as you direct please reinstate." To this somewhat peremptory message his father answered: "If your position unpleasant yourself to blame not Black incident is closed." "Is it ?" said the son of his father.

He called Stetson to his aid and explained.

Stetson reminded him of the famous cablegram of his distinguished contemporary: "Perdicaris alive and Raisuli dead!" Peter's paraphrase of this ran: "Gilman returns to Stillwater or I will not try for degree." The reply was equally emphatic: "You earn your degree or you earn your own living." This alarmed Stetson, but caused Peter to deliver his ultimatum: "Choose to earn my own living am leaving Constantinople." Within a few days Stetson was also leaving Constantinople by steamer via Naples.

Peter, who had come to like him very much, would have accompanied him had he not preferred to return home more leisurely by way of Paris and London.
"You'll get there long before I do," said Peter, "and as soon as you arrive I want you to go to Stillwater and give Doctor Gilman some souvenir of Turkey from me.