"Well, as I say, I tried to interest him in the subject, and he apparently wouldn't be interested. Possibly, afterwards, on thinking it over—"
"And you have never given me a hint till this moment?"
"It wasn't my business," Mr. Bateson answered. "And it isn't my business now. Of course, I drew my own deductions; and you are at liberty to draw yours. That's all. I don't say he did it."
"No, of course. I understand. But—well, here he comes. I've never spoken to him yet."
"You were ill the first time, and last time he was here no time worth mentioning."
Mr. Bateson waited till Mr. Willoughby drew near, and then named him to the Vicar, who raised his hat. The doctor went off, and in three minutes Mr. Gilbert was in eager converse with Mr. Willoughby.
He had been speaking to the doctor about the lifeboat, newly received. Had Mr. Willoughby seen it yet? And did Mr. Willoughby feel any interest in lifeboats generally?
Mr. Willoughby confessed to an interest in everything that benefited his fellow-men.
This set the Vicar off afresh. Was Mr. Willoughby engaged elsewhere? If not, would he like to come and see the lifeboat there and then? Mr. Gilbert would be delighted to escort him, and they could call on their way for the key. The distance was not great.
Mr. Willoughby demurred, and suggested that another day might do as well. He had walked rather far already, and he was not disposed to do quite so much in addition; moreover, the Vicar's time was doubtless valuable. He would turn and go with the Vicar for a short distance, and so hear about the boat instead of immediately seeing it. Mr. Willoughby studiously abstained from showing any special interest in the matter.