“Only a few weeks, sir.”
“What were you doing before that?”
Reginald flushed.
“I was at school, sir—at Wilderham.”
“Wilderham? Why, that’s a school for gentlemen’s sons.”
“My father was a gentleman, sir,” said the boy, proudly.
“He’s dead then?” said Mr Medlock. “That is sad. But did he leave nothing behind him?”
“He died suddenly, sir,” said Reginald, speaking with an effort, “and left scarcely anything.”
“Did he die in debt? You must excuse these questions, Mr Cruden,” added the gentleman, with an amiable smile; “it is necessary to ask them or I would spare you the trouble.”
“He did die in debt,” said Reginald, “but we were able to pay off every penny he owed.”