He did not answer, but moved so as to stand in the circle of light from the open door. I looked at him again, and saw the gay ribands that the recruits wear, fluttering from his hat.
'Cuthbert!'
'Yes, you see I have enlisted. Why, Will, I did not think you would mind it so much;' for, thunderstruck I leant against the wall to gather breath. He put his hand on my shoulder.
'It's not worth troubling about.'
'You can be bought off,' I said, recovering myself.
'Not for the world. Why should I? I did it of my own free will, for I can't stay here, and I won't.'
'Why, what has come to you?'
He was very pale, I saw, and his hands shook. He looked as if some great storm of trouble or anger had passed over him. After a minute's pause he said suddenly, 'Did you know that your father kept a store of money, gold guineas, and shillings, and a five-pound note, in an old teapot in the cupboard behind his bed?'
'What are you talking about? No.'
'No more did I,' said Cuthbert. 'Well, he lost it.'