Peter, recovering his normal self, said, "You've been awfully good to me, Lord Evelyn. I've behaved very badly to you, I believe. Thanks most awfully for everything. But don't pity me now, because I've all I want."
"Happy, are you?" Lord Evelyn looked up at him again, searchingly.
"Quite happy." Peter's smile was reassuring.
"The dooce you are!" Lord Evelyn murmured. "Well, I believe you.... Look here, young Peter, I've a proposal to make. In the first place, is it over, that silly business of yours and Lucy's? Can you meet without upsetting each other?"
Peter considered for a moment.
"Yes; I think we can. I suppose I shall always care—I always have—but now that we've made up our minds that it won't do ... accepted it, you know.... Oh, yes, I think we could meet, as far as that goes."
Lord Evelyn nodded approval.
"Very good, very good. Now listen to me. You're on the roads, aren't you, without a penny, you and your boy?"
"Yes. I make a little as I go along, you know. One doesn't need much here. We're quite comfortable."
"Are you, indeed?... Well now, I see no reason why you shouldn't be more comfortable still. I want you to come and live with me."