Mr. Thompson was smiling slightly. Tommy felt a wave of gratitude surging within him. This man, being a gentleman, wished to break the news gently.
In his appreciation Tommy in turn felt honor bound to spare Mr. Thompson every embarrassment.
“Of course I shall be delighted. But I want to say, Mr. Thompson, that you don't have to—er—” Tommy paused.
“To what?” asked Mr. Thompson, puzzled.
“To be so nice about telling me that I—I haven't made good with you. You've done more than anybody else in the world would have done, more than I had any reason to expect. And—”
“What are you driving at?” interrupted Mr. Thompson.
“You've made up your mind to let me go, haven't you?” asked Tommy, bluntly.
“Hell, no!” said Thompson.
Tommy looked at him, wide-eyed.
Thompson went on: “Seven. You know my house?”