"Miles—in my place—would you not have done the same?"
"Well—"
"You know you would. Was it likely that I should inflict myself on you at such a time? What would you have thought of me had I done so?"
O'Hara brought his hand down smartly on the other's knee.
"I'd have thought ye less of a young fool! I would have gone away with ye, and nothing would have stopped me!"
Jack looked up and met his eyes.
"I know," he said. "'Twas the thought of that—and—and—I could not be sure. How should I know whether you would even receive me? Last night—last night—I was horribly afraid...."
The hand on his knee tightened.
"Ye foolish boy! Ye foolish boy!"
Bit by bit he drew the story of the past six years out of Carstares, and though it was a very modified version, Miles understood his friend well enough to read between the lines.