"My dear man, it isn't your governor; it's mine. And I'm dashed if there's another man in the world who'd write such a letter as that nowadays. It's—it's too early-Victorian. They'd hardly stand it at the Adelphi! I could have put it so much better myself.... Poor old governor!"
"Have you answered it?"
"I ... I forget. I know I meant to.... No, I haven't. I remember now. And I shan't till I'm just off."
"Well, I shall," remarked Jack.
Frank turned a swift face upon him.
"If you do," he said, with sudden fierce gravity, "I'll never speak to you again. I mean it. It's my affair, and I shall run it my own way."
"But—"
"I mean it. Now! give me your word of honor—"
"I—"
"Your word of honor, this instant, or get out of my room!"