“I can’t leave my friends,” he said stubbornly.
Trent thought of the company he had just seen depart, and his indignation got the better of him.
“Friends!” he repeated. “Friends who have landed you in the Bankruptcy Court!”
“Well, you didn’t keep me out of it!”
Trent made a strong effort to keep his temper.
“I have seen my solicitor to-day with the object of preventing the adjudication. Alistair, I will do it, if you will only pull yourself together, and make it possible for your mother and me to help you. I will pay your debts once more, though I can ill afford it, and start you again with a clean sheet, if you will only take advantage of it. Come! I have got the brougham waiting outside. Why shouldn’t you get up now, and let me take you straight away with me?”
He tried to speak cheerfully and confidently. But there was no encouragement in the bleared eyes that looked up at him.
“What! and leave Molly after she’s stuck to me all this time? D’you think I’m a cad, Trent?”
“You called yourself a hooligan just now.”
Trent regretted the retort the moment it had passed his lips. But it was too late. Alistair started up angrily.