I was always truthful, and tried to do the straight
thing. You know the kind of thing a chap picks up at a big public
school. But that night, at the Y.M.C.A. hut, I got down deep. No,
no,--early associations can't destroy that.'

'And you still hold to what you said at the meeting?'

'Absolutely. Why?'

'I was wondering how it would appeal to your father. You remember you
said that you would never benefit by, or participate in, any gain made
by drink, and your father has made most of his money as a brewer and
distiller. I wondered how you regarded it now?'

'That is quickly settled,' he replied; 'I shall not benefit by it, of
course.'

'Do you mean that?'

'Of course I mean it. Mind, I don't want it talked about,--that is a
matter between my father and my own conscience, and one can't talk
about such things freely.'

'Surely you are very foolish,' I said. 'Why should you not use the
money which will naturally come to you?'

'I don't say I won't _use_ it,' he replied, 'but I will not benefit by
it.'

'You mean, then----?'

'I mean that I was a poor man, with nothing but my pay, and that I _am_
a poor man, with nothing but my pay. Thinking as I think, and feeling
as I feel, I could not become a rich man by money got in--that is, by
such means.'

He spoke quietly and naturally, although he seemed a little surprised
by my question.

'What will your father say when he knows?'

'I think he _does_ know. He asked me whether I stood by what I said in
London.'

'And you told him?'

'Of course I told him.'

'And he,--what did he say?'

'He didn't say anything.'

'Jack,' I went on, 'you must forgive me talking about this, but I only
do it, because--you see, we are pals.'

'Of course we are pals. Say what you like.'

'It is all summed up in one name--Lorna.'

A new light came into his eyes immediately, and I saw that his lips
became tremulous.

'Yes, what of her?'

'Springfield still means to have her,' I blurted out.

A curious look passed over his face, a look which I could not
understand. 'Do you know,' he asked eagerly, 'if she is engaged to
him?'

'I gather, that so far, there is no engagement, but I believe there is
an understanding. He had obtained Sir Thomas's consent, but they were
both under the impression at the time that Springfield was your
father's heir. Of course, your turning up in such a way makes it a bit
rough on Springfield.'

'I shall have a good deal to tel