"He oughtn't to talk to you that way. It's corrupting the youth of Athens. It's sowing sedition."
"Oh, I'm all right!" said young Lechmere. "And he never told me he meant to chuck it. I always thought he meant to see it through, simply because he had to. He'll argue on any side you like. It's a tremendous pity—I'm sure he'd have a big career."
"Tell him so, then; plead with him; struggle with him—for God's sake."
"I'll do what I can—I'll tell him it's a regular shame."
"Yes, strike that note—insist on the disgrace of it."
The young man gave Mr. Coyle a more perceptive glance. "I'm sure he wouldn't do anything dishonourable."
"Well—it won't look right. He must be made to feel that—work it up. Give him a comrade's point of view—that of a brother-in-arms."
"That's what I thought we were going to be!" young Lechmere mused romantically, much uplifted by the nature of the mission imposed on him. "He's an awfully good sort."
"No one will think so if he backs out!" said Spencer Coyle.
"They mustn't say it to me!" his pupil rejoined with a flush.