“Hallo, old fellow!” exclaimed Brian. “Moonlight meditations?”
“Where did you drop from?” said Tom, evasively.
“Broken leg, round the corner a public-house row. What brutes men are!” exclaimed the young doctor, hotly.
“Disappointing world altogether,” said Tom with a sigh. “What do you think we have just heard about Erica?”
Brian's heart almost stopped beating; he hardly knew what he feared.
“How can I tell?” he answered, hoarsely. “No bad news, I hope?”
“She's gone and turned Christian,” said Tom, in a tone of deep disgust.
Brian started.
“Thank God!” he exclaimed, under his breath.
“Confound it!” cried Tom. “I'd forgot you'd be triumphant. Good night,” and he marched off in high dudgeon.