“Exactly so, Sir James. I am very glad that we have come to this climax.”
“So am I,” said Sir James. “Eh? What’s that, Mark?” for the boy was whispering to his cousin. “What’s that you are saying?”
“Oh, I was only talking to Dean, father,” said the boy, rather confusedly, and his face turned scarlet, lit up as it was by the swinging lantern beneath which he was seated.
“Yes, sir; I saw you were; and you were protesting against my orders for what I presume you call this hurried start.”
“That I am sure I was not, father. I was only joking to Dean.”
“And what was the joke, sir? You, Dean, what did he say?”
“I don’t like to tell you, uncle.”
“I insist that you tell me at once, sir,” said Sir James angrily.
The boy gave a deprecating look at his cousin, and then went on hesitatingly, “Mark said that it was comic—”
“Well, sir? Go on.”