"Yes. How did you know?"
"I got one, too."
"I suppose we are really his only two possible sponsors at present."
"I'd as soon recommend a convict from Sing Sing," he muttered.
"Oh, no!" I protested. "Not as bad as that. Besides, sometimes you have to recommend even a convict."
"I'd much rather recommend a convict. I hate to lie about this man. I've been asked whether I would trust him and I have to say yes. But you know dashed well I wouldn't. Give me a cigarette," he ended savagely.
"I think he'll go straight now," I murmured dully, passing my case to Dibdin and looking away. "The children will no doubt have an influence on him."
"You judge everybody by yourself."
"How d'ye mean—myself?"
"The long and the short of it is," he declared, putting both elbows on the table, "I had no idea what the children would do to you."