Felix was still more surprised by Will's address to him some hours later.
'I just want to know one thing. Do you want that young fellow licked into shape—that young De la Poer?' he added, meeting Felix's look of blank amazement. 'He wants me to take him in hand at Penbeacon. I told him I did not know if there was room—I really don't; but the real question is—' and there he came to a dead stop.
'The real question is—' repeated Felix.
'Whether you think it a good thing?' continued Will, his head bent over a cat's-cradle of string in which he had tied up his fingers.
'A very good thing for him, and pecuniarily not a bad one for you.'
'Botheration! that has nothing to do with it. Can't you see what I mean? Is it good for—her?' and the poor little monosyllable came out with a sort of groan.
Felix pitied him enough to help him forward with, 'For Robina, do you mean? You are under a misapprehension, if you think it makes any difference to her!'
'Then you don't approve of it? You don't want to put a stop to it?'
'There is nothing to put a stop to, that I know of!'
'Ah! then you don't know!' said Will, lapsing into deep dejection.