"Do try to be intelligible, Raney," I begged.
He assumed a comical expression of grievance.
"Really, George! You know how fond of me Burgess is——"
"I remember he asked you to join his staff ten years ago."
His lank body became alert with interest.
"You hadn't forgotten that either? They were my first words to him. I marched into his library,—he hasn't had a window open since I left,—seized him by the hand and told him I hadn't seen him since he offered me a place on his staff. 'Which thou didst greet with mockery and scorn, laddie,' he said.
"'Was it a firm offer, sir?' I asked.
"'I know not this babble of the money-changers,' he said. 'The vineyard is full.'
"'Haven't you room for one more labourer, sir?' I asked.
"'Laddie,' he said, 'thy place is set in the forefront of the hottest battle. Wherefore hast thou broken and fled?'"