"How do you explain those words?" asked the Captain.
"Oh, don't you understand them?" said Cyril, surprised that such a great man as the Captain should be ignorant of their meaning. "My father"—his voice shook a little as he said the name—"told me Noblesse oblige means rank imposes obligations, and that much is expected from one in a good position. You see, Captain, gentlemen can't do mean, dishonourable things. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but you see I come of a race of honourable gentlemen who would scorn to rob and plunder."
The Captain laughed loudly, rudely. "What a fine gentleman we've got here!" said he; "let's look at him." He dragged Cyril forward into the middle of the room. "There, my fine fellow, look around you," cried he. "Do you know several of these men are gentlemen of birth and breeding?"
"Then they've forgotten it," said Cyril calmly.
A murmur of anger went round the room. "Forgotten what?" cried one man.
"Noblesse oblige," replied Cyril.
"Absurd," cried the Captain. "Have you no better reason than that for refusing my offer?"
Cyril was silent.
"Speak out," cried the Captain.
Slowly but bravely Cyril said that there was yet another reason. He could not join them because he was a follower of Christ, who made the law of love, saying, "By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another."