“Mr. Harrington, it is nothing. Please sit down.”
John came back and did as he was bid, more and more surprised and confused.
“I was afraid it was something serious,” he said nervously, for he was greatly disturbed.
Joe laughed, a bitter, harsh little laugh, that was bad to hear. She was making a great effort, but she was strong, and bravely forced back her bursting tears.
“Oh no! I was only choking,” she said. “I often do. Go on, please, with what you were saying. Why are you going away so suddenly?”
“Indeed,” answered John, “I do not know what the business is. I am going if I am required, simply because my friend wants me.”
“Do you mean to say,” asked Joe, speaking more calmly, “that you will pack up your belongings and go to the end of the world whenever a friend asks you to? It is most tremendously obliging, you know.”
“Not for any friend,” John replied. “But I would most certainly do it for this particular one.”
“You must be very fond of him to do that,” said Joe.
“I am under great obligations to him, too. He is certainly the most important man with whom I have any relations. We can trust each other-it would not do to endanger the certainty of good faith that exists between us.”