'Yes.'
(Why would he not speak, and aid her?) Deborah continued shyly: 'And is—Mistress Blancheflower well?'
'I thank ye, very well.'
Deborah could say no more anent that. 'Are you changed, King, in looks? Let me see.' She bent forward, and laid one hand upon his. 'Nay; the old comic King, with whom I ofttimes quarrelled sore; only browner, thinner, graver too, as I see thee now.'
'Cares o' the world, Deb. Where is boy Charlie?'
'Nay; I know not.' What a sudden paleness and abstraction overspread the sweet face! 'Charlie is much away, Kingston. I hope you will see him and talk to my dear boy like a good kinsman. Charlie needs a sterling friend.'
Kingston looked grave, thinking perhaps how far he himself had led Charlie from the straight and narrow track. He answered gaily, however: 'Oh, he is young yet. Charlie promised to be a fine fellow in the end; and with his talents, we must make something of him. Don't despair, Deb.'
'Nay; I never despair.'
'I hear that he is a friend of Master Adam Sinclair's.'