Ran walked about from one group of friends to another, trying to seem at ease, but too surely in a state of intense anxiety.
Presently he took heart of grace and went up to the group on the sofa, touched the Rev. James Campbell on the shoulder and said:
“Come with me, please, reverend sir; I wish to consult you.”
The rector arose and drew the arm of his host within his own and walked away with him. They did not leave the drawing-room, but went slowly up and down its length for the first few minutes in silence.
Ran did not seem to know how to open the subject he had on his mind. So it was the rector, after all, who, probably divining the nature of his friend’s difficulty, was the first to speak and to speak to the point.
“The hour is late, and something should be done with that——” He paused, unwilling to use the words that arose to his lips, and he indicated the inebriate by a movement of his thumb.
“Yes,” said Ran, “that is what puzzles me. It was of that I wished to talk with you.”
“Go on then! Let me have your views. It is late, as I remarked before, and I should have taken my wife and daughter home an hour ago, but that I did not wish to leave you until something should be settled in regard to this man.”
“But you will not leave us to-night? Rooms have already been prepared for you!” exclaimed Ran.
“My dear young friend, I thank you heartily, for myself and my womenkind, but we must return to the rectory to-night. My daughter has left her young babe there,” replied the rector.