“I wanted a chat with you before I sail. I did think of coming to the hospital, but I don’t believe I could have said what I wanted there.”
Neil fixed his eyes upon his companion.
“What is it?” he said. “You don’t want to borrow money?”
“Oh, hang it, no!”
“What is it, then?”
The young man was silent, and began to break the twigs of the shrubs they were passing.
“Don’t do that, boy, unless you want to make my father wroth.”
“No, of course not,” said Beck. “How absurd!”
“Well, what’s the matter? You’re just off to sea, I believe.”
“Yes. Long voyage,” said the young man huskily. “Go on; I’m all attention.”