“Well, better be lying here than lying there,” said Denham,
“Right-oh! And that’s where I should be lying if it hadn’t been for you,” answered the other earnestly.
“Oh, that’s all in the tug-of-war,” rejoined Denham. “We don’t count that at all. You’d have done the same for me—we’d all have done the same for each other, of course. But I couldn’t clear out without saying good-bye, and seeing how you were getting on.”
“You’re awfully good, Denham; but I don’t believe I should have done the same if the positions were reversed.”
“Yes, you would. And look here, Stride, you needn’t think that I haven’t sympathised with you all through. How could I have helped doing so from the very circumstances themselves?”
Stride was silent for a few moments. Then he said—
“I believe I’ve behaved like a cur, Denham. If you really did what we—what I suspected, I’m certain that you were justified. Since I’ve been lying here I’ve been thinking things over.”
“Well, in that case you may take it from me that it was justified,” answered Denham gravely.
“I’ll swear it was. Well, it’s awfully good of you to find time to look in upon me this morning of all days, and I appreciate it.”
Denham was moved.