Henning did not speak: indeed he could not have done so just at that moment. There was a very big lump in his throat. He hemmed and coughed once or twice, but that only made it worse. Bracebridge saw his friend's embarrassment, but did not speak. He took Roy's hand.
“I understand—true friend,” said Roy, huskily, "but I can not explain.”
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He was silent for some time. He then said, partly to himself and partly aloud—"but I can. Why should I not do so? He is true and loyal. My father put no conditions of secrecy on me, or on his strange action. Ambrose?”
“Well?”
“Will you listen to me?”
“Of course I'll listen to you.”
“Thank you. In order that you may know why I believe I shall not be able to pay back that money, I must first tell you of a peculiar thing my father has thought fit to impose upon me.”
“Go ahead then, but since confidences are in order, let me tell you one first, which will make your story easier to tell, more probably. Next year you are going to study for the priesthood,”
“How on earth did you learn that?”