"Whew!" returned George, with a low whistle.
Both men stared into the fire with tragic silence.
"Well?" finally asked Will wearily.
George arose and slowly buttoned his coat before replying.
"I must think it over, old boy!" he said kindly, and his voice was husky through its firmness. "It's a bad case, but there must be a way out of it. I'll get here soon after daybreak. Think it over hard in the meantime. The best thing for Alma, must be your first consideration, yourself next."
"Alma! How can she bear it!"
"She'll bear it like a woman, I hope," returned George quickly. "You have run the gauntlet for her sake, haven't you? You've lived beyond your means, until debts have accumulated to your distraction. I have not been blind to all this. But I never dreamed of this climax."
"For her sake, yes, but that makes my sin no lighter," Will returned gloomily.
"But it makes it less black—anyway to those who care a heap for you!" George exclaimed, grasping Will's hand.
"You care, now that you know what I am?" asked Will, surprise overcoming other emotions.