“Never thought o’ that,” said Esau, rubbing one ear. “I say, don’t be a coward. Come on down to Woolwich.”
“You go on directly to your mother and tell her all about it.”
“I say, don’t order a fellow about like that. You ain’t master.”
“You do as I tell you,” I said, firmly.
“Oh, very well,” he replied, in an ill-used tone. “If you say I am to, I suppose I must. Won’t you come too?”
“No; I’m going up to see Mr John Dempster to tell him all about it, and ask him to give me his advice.”
“Ah, it’s all very fine,” grumbled Esau; “it’s always Mr John Dempster now. You used to make me a friend and ask my advice: now I’m nobody at all. You always was such a gentleman, and too fine for me.”
“Don’t talk like that, Esau,” I said; “you hurt me.”
He turned and caught hold of my hand directly. “I didn’t mean it,” he said, huskily. “On’y don’t chuck me over. I won’t go for a soldier if you don’t want, but let’s stick together.”
“I should like to, Esau,” I said, “for I’ve no friends but you and Mr John.”