"I haven't much influence now," Rainsford said musingly, "but I have some friends still. I want you to let me lend you some money, a very small sum."
The blood rushed to Fairfax's face. He extended his hand impulsively.
"There, Rainsford, you needn't go on. You are the first chap who has put out a rope to me. I did have twenty-five cents given me once, but otherwise——"
"I mean it sincerely, Fairfax."
"Rainsford," said the young man, with emotion in his voice, "you are a fine brand of failure."
"Will you let me stand by you, Fairfax?"
"Yes, indeed," said the other, "I will, but not in the way you mean. I reckon I must have felt what kind of a fellow you were or I wouldn't be here. At any rate you're the only person I wanted to see. I quite understand you can't take me back at the yards, and I don't want to drive in and out from West Albany. Could you do anything for me at the general company, Rainsford? Would they give me a job in Albany? I'd take a local though I'm up to an express."
"No," said Rainsford, "you mustn't think of driving engines; I won't lift my hand to help you."
"It is all I can do," returned the engineer quietly, after a second, "all I want." Then he said, "I've got to have it...."
"Why I'll lend you enough money, Fairfax, to pay your passage to France!"