“I suppose that gives me a warrant to speak about the matter now. It is understood between us, is it not?⁠—that we are on a footing of open friendship: I have listened to you, and you will be willing to listen to me. I may take my turn in talking a little about myself?”

“I am under the deepest obligation to you, Mr. Farebrother,” said Fred, in a state of uncomfortable surmise.

“I will not affect to deny that you are under some obligation to me. But I am going to confess to you, Fred, that I have been tempted to reverse all that by keeping silence with you just now. When somebody said to me, ‘Young Vincy has taken to being at the billiard-table every night again⁠—he won’t bear the curb long;’ I was tempted to do the opposite of what I am doing⁠—to hold my tongue and wait while you went down the ladder again, betting first and then⁠—”

“I have not made any bets,” said Fred, hastily.