“I want naught with it!” he said ungraciously, yet with an undertone that was almost pleading, and his sponsor in the background went crimson a second time and drew circles with his boot-toe.
“You’ve got to take it whether you want it or not!” Christian said decidedly. “It’s your property, and I’ll be hanged if I’ll have it on the premises! And see here, my man, there’s something else that’s been weighing on my mind all the time I was ill. We didn’t finish that round in the orthodox manner. Let’s put it right, now!”
He held out his hand, and Harker, after a moment’s hesitation, sent his own to meet it, his brain in a whirl. There must be something hopelessly wrong with the universe if he could feel himself deliriously honoured by a handshake from Lyndesay of Crump!
“I like that hold better than another of yours I’ve tried!” Christian added cheerfully but with meaning, and Harker dropped his head as Gaskarth dragged him out.
“An’ serve you darned well right!” he observed pleasantly, drawing a breath of relief as they left the house. “Nearly wore me to chewed string, that you did, sliding down me like a bloomin’ water-chute! It’s a rotten game to be always slipping holds—water-chutin’ the other chap into a wax! I don’t approve of your style no more than I like your pretty way of taking prizes, but I’ll tell you what I’ll do. You come down now and again of an evening for a bit of a friendly tussle, an’ happen I’ll learn you better ways!”
Callander shut the door after the men and strode back into the room.
“I’m sorry about the belt!” he said abruptly.
“Of course the fellow ought to have had it, but at the time we felt more like using it to him than handing it over with a smile. Still, as you say, I should have known your wishes. I am here to know them.” Christian gave him a friendly nod of understanding, and he shut his teeth hard, setting his will at the last fence with a desperate lift. Then—“You must go to her!” he almost shot at him.
Christian stared for a moment, his mind travelling backward; then shook his head.
“I have no right.”