“I am not coming back to the office any more—but don’t think me ungrateful.”
“Not coming back?”
“No, Hallett; Miss Carr sent for me—she has been away—and I am to go at once as a pupil to an engineer.”
He turned his back to me, and I ran to his side:
“Oh, Hallett,” I cried piteously; “don’t be angry with me. I told her I was sorry to go, because you were such a good friend.”
“You told her that, Antony?”
“Indeed, indeed I did; but I thought in being an engineer I might be some day such a help to you, and that it was for the best; and now you are vexed and think me ungrateful.”
He was silent for a few moments, and then he turned to me and took my hands, speaking in a low, husky voice:
“You must not heed me to-night, Antony,” he said. “You saw how upset and strange I was. This affair of Linny’s, and her letter, trouble me more than I care to own. No, no, my dear boy, I am not vexed with you, and I do not for a moment think you ungrateful.”
“You do not!” I cried joyfully.