But his father's keen, blue eyes continued to watch him steadily, and after Mrs Carstairs had gone to bed, he stayed down for half an hour chatting with his son. "I suppose," he said, "there is no possibility of those gipsies molesting you further?"
Jack shrugged his shoulders. "Can't say," he drawled. "I left them in Scotland."
"They wander, these people, you know."
"That's true; however, there is always the police, you know." Jack was very unconcerned. "By the way, guv'nor, could you come back and stay with me for a few days? Another fellow and myself are digging together, you know. He's a jolly decent sort; opens his mouth rather wide at times, says more than he means, you know, but he's a good sort. Got me my job, as a matter of fact. He wants you to come too. Wants to get to know some decent people; he's a dancing man and that sort of thing. Thinks you'll probably bump up against some one you know, give us a lift in our jobs besides making things more pleasant. You understand."
The Reverend Carstairs' shrewd eyes twinkled merrily. "You want to utilize your old father, eh? What about this young man's father?"
"He hasn't got one; drowned at sea when he was a kid."
"Ah!" The grey eyes softened into sympathy at once. "Of course I'll come. It's quite the right view to take; young men cast adrift in a strange town usually get acquainted with quite the wrong people. Southville? Southville? Ah, yes. I think the vicar of St James' there is an old Christ Church man. Let me see." He got up and reached down a book of reference. "Here we are. Southville, St James. Yes! Moorhouse. Ah! I thought so. He was not exactly a chum, but a friend. I've no doubt he'll be pleased to see me. What is your friend like?"
"Oh, about the same as myself, but exceedingly handsome, striking, you know. Sort of chap you turn round to look at. Very dark, almost Italian looking."
"Ah! You ought to be able to make things very pleasant for yourselves down there. I'll go back with you on Monday." His father stood up.
"Thanks very much. Shall I turn out the light?"