“That’s why it was important for me to come back——”
“But why did you go away like that?”
The boy’s mind dwelt in the fine sense of being treated as an equal. Bellair felt called upon to be very explicit and fair:
“I came to the time when I couldn’t live with myself any longer—and stay in the cage with Mr. Sproxley. I saw a ship in the harbour the Sunday before—a sailing-ship,” he began, and then made a picture of it; also of his own hopelessness and what the years would mean, not touching specific dishonesties, but suggesting the atmosphere which had suddenly become poisonous to him. He did not forget that Davy had no other place, that he must keep a certain sense of loyalty, or be destroyed in such conditions.
“It would have taken two weeks to get clear in the ordinary way,” he added. “My decision came the day of the squabble with Mr. Prentidd in the office. I had to leave right then—was off for Savannah that very night——”
“And you found the ship there?” Davy asked eagerly.
“I beat her there a day and a half. Then we sailed for South America. I want to tell you the whole story. This is not the place. Could you come up in my room after supper to-night?”
“I think my mother will let me come——”
“Tell me about your mother, Davy. Is she well? I remember I meant to meet her some time.”
“Yes—just the same. You know she works a little, too——”