“Because you seem so interested about his comin' home safe to-morrow evening,” said Tom, with a dry laugh.
“So I am!” said Linton, with a smile of strange meaning.
“An' if he was to come to harm, sorry as you 'll be, you couldn't help it, sir?” said Keane, still laughing.
“Of course not; these mishaps are occurring every day, and will continue as long as the country remains in its present state of wretchedness.”
Keane seemed to ponder over the last words, for he slouched his hat over his eyes, and sat with clasped hands and bent-down head for several minutes in silence. At last he spoke, but it was in a tone and with a manner whose earnestness contrasted strongly with his former levity.
“Can't we speak openly, Mr. Linton, would n't it be best for both of us to say fairly what's inside of us this minit?”
“I 'm perfectly ready,” said Linton, seating himself beside him; “I do not desire anything better than to show my confidence in a man of courage like yourself.”
“Then let us not be losin' our time,” said the other, gruffly. “What's the job worth? that's the chat. What is it worth?”
“You are certainly a most practical speaker,” said Linton, laughing in his own peculiar way, “and clear away preliminaries in a very summary fashion.”