"Indeed, sir!" Plainly this was not news to Mrs. Stott.
"Your son told you?" suggested Challis.
"Oh! no, sir, 'e never told me," replied Mrs. Stott, "'twas Mr. Crashaw. 'E's been 'ere several times lately."
Challis looked sharply at the boy, but he gave no sign that he heard what was passing.
"Yes; Mr. Crashaw seems rather upset about it."
"I'm sorry, sir, but——"
"Yes; speak plainly," prompted Challis. "I assure you that you will have no cause to regret any confidence you may make to me."
"I can't see as it's any business of Mr. Crashaw's, sir, if you'll forgive me for sayin' so."
"He has been worrying you?"
"'E 'as, sir, but 'e ..." she glanced at her son—she laid a stress on the pronoun always when she spoke of him that differentiated its significance—"'e 'asn't seen Mr. Crashaw again, sir."