"What idleness to ask! I would give anything in this world to see him cured."
"The Kayes are aye proud, in troth. Yer honor, lad; even yer honor?"
"Hmm, well—yes. Even my honor."
"Hark to me."
For five minutes thereafter Cleena talked, and not once did her listener interrupt. Her words were spoken in that sibilant whisper that is louder than ordinary speech, and not one of them was lost. When she had finished, she rose and demanded, laying her hand upon Mr. Kaye's shoulder:—
"Now, Mister Fred, will ye leave me gineral be?"
"Yes, Cleena. For the present, till a final test comes, he shall be safe from any interference from me. I'll take him under my personal protection. I'll make myself his friend. He shall have a fair chance. If he fails—"
"He'll no fail! he'll no fail, laddie! Such as him is the Lord's own. Whist, alanna, here he comes."
Fayette approached the entrance, walking stealthily, and casting furtive glances toward that part of the building where the guest had hitherto remained. Apparently satisfied that the coast was clear, he crept to the door and tapped it twice.
Cleena nodded her head, and Frederic Kaye opened to admit the boy, who would have retreated when he saw the stranger, had not his arm been caught and held so firmly he could not writhe himself free.