Then the guests and fate closed round the Brigands.
In the scene of retribution that followed Robert showed himself unsympathetic, even glorying in William’s afflictions.... For a whole week after the fancy dress dance Robert repeatedly proclaimed that William had spoilt his life again.
“She’ll never look at me now, of course,” he said bitterly to his mother. “How could she look at the brother of the boy who nearly drowned her. And the only girl I’ve ever met who really understood me. And her mother says she’s had a cold in her head ever since.”
“What was her name? Glory something, wasn’t it, dear?”
“No, Mother,” impatiently, “That’s a girl I knew ever so long ago, and who never really understood me. This one——” William entered and Robert stopped abruptly.
“How do you like those new socks I made for you, dear?” said his mother to William. “Are they all right?”
William felt that his hour had come. He’d had a rotten time but he was going to do just a little scoring on his own.
“Yes,” said William slowly, “and just to think that this time last week I didn’t know them. They’ve given an entirely new meaning to my life. I shall give up all my life trying to be more worthy of them. I’ve not got them on now because I don’t want them profaned by people who don’ know or care about them——” Then William gave a little groan and flopped into a chair in a fainting position.
“William,” said Mrs. Brown, “What ever’s the matter with you?”
But Robert had gone a deep purple and was creeping quickly from the room.