But it was Christopher who had no answer ready this time.
The look he had surprised gripped his heart. It revealed something hitherto unguessed by him. He came and sat on the edge of the sofa, and though he spoke lightly as was his manner, his voice and eyes belied his words.
“On the contrary, Sam does not appreciate you at all. He regards you as an erratic philanthropist with a crank for assisting deserving boys.”
“A just estimate.”
“Not at all. It is wrong in every particular.”
“Prove it.”
“You are not erratic; you are methodical to a fault. You are not a crank; therefore not a philanthropist. And you show a lamentable disregard to the moral qualities of those to whom you extend a helping hand.”
“Jealousy.”
“Jealousy of whom, please?”
“Of Sam.”