“Yes, I did, Franky.”
“He gave sixty for it last week.”
Trevor winced slightly, and said quietly—
“Dealer’s profit; and he understands horses. Try another cigar, Frank.”
Pratt took another cigar, lit it, and said, quietly—
“Now look here, Dick, old fellow, I’m afraid I’m going to be a great nuisance to you. You’re so easy-going, that with this money of yours—to use your sea-going terms—you’ll be all amongst the sharks; every one will be making a set at you. ’Pon my soul, I’ve been miserable ever since I won that four pound ten. The best thing we can do is to see one another seldom, for if I stay with you I shall always be boring you about some foolish bit of extravagance, and getting into hot water with the friends who take a fancy to you.”
“My dear Frank,” said Trevor, smoking away in the most unruffled fashion, “you will oblige me very much by letting that be the clearing-up shower as far as talk of leaving me is concerned. It is quite right. Here have I been to sea, middy and man, for twelve years; and now I come back to England a great helpless baby of a fellow, game for everybody. You think I’m a fool. Well, I am not over-wise; but my first act ashore here was the looking-up of a tried old schoolfellow, whose purse I’ve often shared, and who never once left me in the lurch—and,” he added, slowly and meaningly, “who never will leave me in the lurch. Am I right?”
Frank Pratt turned one sharp, quick flash upon the speaker, and that was enough.
“Thanky, sir,” cried the shoeblack, spinning up the sixpence he had received.
The friends turned towards one of the omnibuses about to make a start for the course.