“I think it must be out of pure goodness,” said Lucy, sweetly.
Mr. Talboys ignored her calmly. “Pray enlighten us, Mr. Dodd. Now what is the real reason you walk a mile every day to do mathematics with that interesting and well-behaved juvenile?”
“You are very curious, sir,” said David, grimly, his ire rising unseen.
“I am—on this point.”
“Well, since you must be told what most men could see without help, it is—because he is an orphan; and because an orphan finds a brother in every man that is worth the shoe-leather he stands in. Can ye read the riddle now, ye lubber?” and David started up haughtily, and, with contempt and wrath on his face, marched through the open window and joined his little friend on the lawn, leaving Fountain red with anger and Talboys white.
The next thing was, Lucy rose and went quietly out of the room by the door.
“It is the last time he shall set his foot within my door. Provoking cub!”
“You are convinced at last that he is a dangerous rival?”
“A rival? Nonsense and stuff!!”
“Then why was she so agitated? She went out with tears in her eyes: I saw them.”