“No; I suppose we can be honest too. But if I was a man I could go and be of some use somewhere; I’m no good to anybody here.”
Jeffreys coloured up furiously, and looked as if he would run from the spot. Then, apparently thinking better of it, he looked down at her and said—
“Excuse me, you are.”
They walked on a little in silence, then Raby said—
“I am so glad, Mr Jeffreys, you managed Percy so well about that smoking yesterday; and how well he took it!”
“Of course; he’s a gentleman and a fine fellow.”
“He forgets how much older Mr Scarfe is than he, and he imagines it is a fine thing to do whatever others do. But I think it is such a pity he should waste so much time as he does now in the billiard-room and over the fire. Don’t you think it is bad for him?”
“I do. The day on the ice yesterday made a new man of him.”
“Do try to coax him out, Mr Jeffreys, you always do him good; and you may be able to pull him up now before he becomes an idler.”
“I promise you I will do what I can.”