"Young man, your experience of life is limited if you can put that question seriously and sincerely. I studied surgery as a young man and spent three years in a hospital in Vienna. After that I was for two years connected with the English army in India. I have no foolish prejudices left about taking life--when necessary."
"You have belonged to privileged classes," I said, striving to match his nonchalance. "But unfortunately your young cousin does not."
"No, he has been merely a young fool," he said concisely. "But Jean insisted that I should come and see you about it. She is his sister."
"I am honored by Miss Benbow's confidence," I said. I felt a good deal more than I expressed. If I didn't do the best that could be done for her brother, it would be merely because I didn't know how. "Will you tell me something about the young man? He lives with you?"
"Yes. He has the library for his study. Of course he has the run of the house. The only stipulation I ever made was that he should keep out of my way and not distract my mind. This is the consideration which he shows!"
"How long has he lived with you?"
"Why, ever since the family was broken up. Barker shot Senator Benbow, you know, and his wife died soon after. Shock. You know, there is something interesting in the question how a purely mental blow can have effect on the physical plane. Well, Benbow was a cousin, and as my own wife was dead, there seemed to be plenty of room in the house for the boy, so I took him. I supposed he would grow up the way other boys did. I simply told him never to bother me. For the rest he could do as he liked."
"He seems to have followed your teaching. How old is he?"
"Just twenty. It was his birthday yesterday. He was celebrating last night with some of his college mates."
"How? Where, and with whom?"