"Did you do it yourself?"
I made no answer, and he looked straight at me.
"How did the thing happen, my boy?"
I felt myself getting as red as fire again.
"Something not explained yet, eh? Have you been doing anything you are ashamed of, Miles?"
"No, sir."
"That's decisive, at all events. Then has somebody else?"
"If you wouldn't mind, sir—please—not asking me," I said. "It was an accident, and I don't think it will happen again. I'll take care. I will really."
"Yes, I think you will," Mr. Laurence said slowly; "I am sure you will. If you had done as Rose told you, and not mentioned the breakage, I should not have felt so confident as now. But you have done well all through; first, in refusing them admittance; then, in not concealing the accident. You have proved yourself trustworthy, Miles."
I was so amazed to find how much he knew that I could take no pleasure in his words of praise; and I must have stared. He did not smile; he only said—