Helen looked up, startled.
“He hasn’t spared himself. He has even made the case out worse than it is.”
“He has told you?” Helen repeated.
Farley nodded.
“Of his own accord?”
“Yes.”
“And you still—? You——?”
“Yes, I believe in him. I believe he has been punished for whatever wrong he has done. And I can’t see why a man’s whole future should be spoiled because he has made a mistake at the start. There are plenty of men in public life who have made mistakes like his—men who were young and inexperienced. Some of them have since done fine work.”
“Why have you spoken to me about this, Mr. Farley?”
“Because—well, because I know—that is, I suspect, from what Mr. Briggs has said, that you’re not in sympathy with his public life.”