"For Lily's! You know her then; and that's the reason of your coming to my assistance."
Mr. Sheldrake accepted this interpretation, and said,
"If you tell her of what has occurred to-night—"
"Of course I shall tell her," interrupted the young man. "I tell Lily everything."
"You may mention, then, that the gentleman who had the pleasure of walking home with her to-night did you a little service. She spoke of her brother to-night as we walked home. Your name must be Alfred."
"Yes; that is my name."
"Mine is Sheldrake. I shall be glad to improve our acquaintanceship--that is, if you are willing."
"O, I'm willing enough," replied Alfred half graciously; "but I'm not a swell, you know."
"Meaning that I am. None the worse for that, eh?"
"No," said Alfred, throwing sufficient expression in his hesitating manner of uttering that small word to express, "No, you're none the worse for it; but I consider myself as good as you, or any man."