Stephen turned sulky. "I don't want to."
"You do not know what is good for you my friend," said Herrick coolly, "I shall expect to find you dressed and down to dinner at eight. After a good meal you will be more like your old self."
In this way after much coaxing, scolding, ordering and threatening Jim got the young man to get up and dress. Marsh-Carr did so reluctantly enough, for he was desperately afraid of betraying the secret he had told Bess, to the sharp eyes of Herrick. However he was really tired himself of being alone. This seclusion could not be kept up for ever, and it was as well to make a beginning and get back into the old routine. He therefore dressed with some care after a bath, and came down into the drawing-room looking much better. Herrick was standing on the hearth-rug, big and masterful. "Here you are at last," he said, "just in time for a glass of sherry."
Stephen protested, but Herrick insisted. "You want something to make you eat after being in bed all day. This sherry and bitters will do for a medicine. I want you to eat and drink well to-night Steve. You must get colour into your cheek and fire into your eye. What will Ida say if I attend to you so badly?"
Stephen drank the sherry and felt better. Then they went to eat a capital dinner and Dr. Jim saw that his friend tasted every dish. He also made him drink champagne, and talked the whole time in a lively way that was' infectious. By the time dinner was over Stephen felt positively happy. Then came cigars, coffee, and cognac, in the library.
"Now Steve, don't you feel better?" said Herrick when they were seated vis-à-vis beside a blazing fire.
"Yes," replied the Squire and looking round the gorgeously-coloured room, at the evidence of wealth and luxury spread out on every hand. "I feel immensely better. I suppose I shall pick up soon."
"If you follow the advice I shall leave with you, I think you will," said Herrick with intention and stared at the fire.
"What do you mean Jim? You don't intend to--"
"Ah, but I do though Steve. I cannot stay with anyone who does not trust me wholly. I want to be your friend. Your step-mother asked me to look after you. I promised to do what I could, but unless you give me your unreserved confidence, it is useless for me to remain."