A thoughtful night led to a visit to Mr. Wilks the following evening. It required a great deal of deliberation on his part before he could make up his mind to the step, but he needed his old steward's assistance in a little plan he had conceived for his son's benefit, and for the first time in his life he paid him the supreme honour of a call.
The honour was so unexpected that Mr. Wilks, coming into the parlour in response to the tapping of the captain's stick on the floor, stood for a short time eyeing him in dismay. Only two minutes before he had taken Mr. James Hardy into the kitchen to point out the interior beauties of an ancient clock, and the situation simply appalled him. The captain greeted him almost politely and bade him sit down. Mr. Wilks smiled faintly and caught his breath.
“Sit down,” repeated the captain.
“I've left something in the kitchen, sir,” said Mr. Wilks. “I'll be back in half a minute.”
The captain nodded. In the kitchen Mr. Wilks rapidly and incoherently explained the situation to Mr. Hardy.
“I'll sit here,” said the latter, drawing up a comfortable oak chair to the stove.
“You see, he don't know that we know each other,” explained the apologetic steward, “but I don't like leaving you in the kitchen.”
“I'm all right,” said Hardy; “don't you trouble about me.”