“My dear fellow, one expects to have been dropped. Why suppose one’s family superior to other people’s? Pas si bête!”
Gazing at that smiling face where prison pallor was yielding to the heat, above the neck whose sinews seemed unnaturally sharp and visible, the boy felt a spasm of remorse.
“We’ve never had a proper chance to tell you how frightfully sorry we’ve been for you. Only, we don’t understand even now why you did such a thing.”
“Should I have done it if I’d thought it would have been spotted? A woman going to the devil; a small risk to oneself—and there we were! Never save anyone, at risk to yourself, Jack. I’m sure you agree.”
The boy’s face went very red. How could he ever get out what he had come to say?
“I have no intention of putting my tail between my legs. D’you mind taking this cup?”
“Will you have another, Father?”
“No, thanks. What time do you dine?”
“Half-past seven.”