“Some trouble with—my cousin?”
“Yes, sir,” I said, hoarsely; and for a few minutes the words would not come, the incidents of the past twenty-four hours having upset me more than I was aware.
“Don’t hurry, my boy, don’t hurry; and don’t question him, Alexes. Did you walk up?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Ah, a nice day for walking. We two ought to have had ours, but some letters—a little business—kept us in. We have had a very long communication from my wife’s brother, and it necessitates a great deal of thinking at our time of life.”
“I—I have left Mr Dempster, sir,” I said.
“Indeed! I am not surprised, Mayne, and—bless me! what is the matter with your ear?”
The words came now, and I told him everything, while before I had half got through my narrative, Mr John was upon his legs tramping excitedly up and down the little room, and uttering angry ejaculations from time to time.
“You—you are not very angry with me?”
“Angry?” he cried. “I am more than angry that such a thing could have happened, and the principal actor in it have been one who bears the same name as myself. It is cruel—scandalous—disgraceful; and above all, to have exposed you to such an indignity—in custody like a common thief! But there, you shall not continue in his office.”