The cause of his start was the remembrance of what Sydney had said about the name Darley having caused him to determine to confess.
“If I had not gone off with Harrington that time,” was Rex’s inference, “Miles would not have come into my life, and we would not now be facing poverty.”
But the blush was the shame at the idea that he would be willing to enjoy the fruits of Sydney’s crime provided he did not know about it.
“I always feel sorry for Miles when he comes to see us,” remarked Eva.
“Why?” asked Rex quickly.
“Because he seems to feel embarrassed, as though he were out of place. He isn’t in the least. He has very nice manners, and I’m sure is a perfect gentleman. But what he needs is a little more self assurance.”
“Oh, he’ll get that fast enough now,” said Rex, and then looked fixedly away from the scandalized glance he knew Roy was directing at him.
“I’ll go home with the girls if you’ll wait at the station for Miles, Rex,” and Reginald was glad to be left alone for a few minutes.
“It doesn’t seem as if it could be so,” he mused, as he walked up and down the pavement opposite the Public Buildings. “Miles and I to change places!”
People hurrying to catch outgoing trains jostled him; the clang of the cable car bells sounded every few seconds; the noises of the city life he loved were all about him.