“You tell me really that you mean to stop here all night waiting for him?”
“Yes,” said Aleck; “I was quite ready to stop here all night to keep you company when you were a prisoner chained to that wall.”
The midshipman stood staring down at his companion as if half stunned, till better thoughts prevailed.
“Yes,” he said, at last, in a quieter way. “So you were; and you would have done it, wouldn’t you?”
“Of course I would,” said Aleck.
“And it wouldn’t be fair to break your word, eh?”
“That’s what I feel,” was the reply.
“Yes, and I suppose it’s right, Aleck—that’s what they call you?”
“Yes, that’s what they call me,” said the lad, coldly.
“Yes—yes,” said the middy, slowly. “I say, you’re not an officer, but you’re a jolly deal more of a gentleman than I am. You see, I’ve been a prisoner so long, and I want to get out.”