Mr. Sheldrake hesitated before he asked the next question.
"It wasn't your own money that you staked?"
Alfred did not reply.
"I don't want to press you unfairly, Alf," said Mr. Sheldrake, after a few moments' study of Alfred's downcast face, "and I don't want you to say anything you would rather not say. Young fellows often get into scrapes. I suppose you're in one now?"
"Yes, I'm regularly cornered," replied Alfred. "I wouldn't care so much for my own sake--but there's Lily. She's fond of me, and it would break her heart to see me in a mess."
"Lily's heart sha'n't be broken, and you shall get out of your mess, Alf. I'll stand your friend, as I said I would, and Con Staveley shall let you have the money before you go."
Alfred looked up, and grasped Mr. Sheldrake's hand. The revulsion of feeling almost blinded him.
"Mind," continued Mr. Sheldrake, "I do this for Lily's sake, so you may thank your stars you've got such a sister."
"She is the dearest girl in the world," cried Alfred, his good spirits returning.
"So she is, and I should like her to think well of me."