Again Stowell felt immense relief. It was impossible that Bessie could have told him. And if she hadn't, why should he? Why injure the girl in Gell's eyes? Why tarnish his faith in her? It was the woman's secret, therefore he must never reveal it—never in this world.
They were walking on. Gell with a high step was kicking up the withered leaves.
"What about your people?" asked Stowell.
"Ah, that's what I've got to find out. I'm going home now to tell them. My mother is always advising me to marry and settle down, but of course she'll jib at Bessie, and the sisters will follow suit. As for my father, he has only one son, as he says, and I must have a better allowance. He cut it down after that affair in the Courts, you know."
They were at the gate to the road, and pulling it open, Gell said:
"Phew! How different I feel from what I did when I was coming in here half an hour ago! I thought you would kick me out the minute I had told you. But now we're going to be better friends than ever, aren't we?"
"Good-bye and good luck, old fellow," said Stowell.
"Good-bye, and God bless you, old chap," said Gell.
Stowell stood at the gate and watched him going off with long strides, his shoulders working vigorously.
"Never again! We can never be the same friends again," thought Stowell, as he turned back to the house.