“Come, come, Schoolmaster,” returned Eugene, with a languid approach to impatience as the other again struggled with himself; “say what you have to say. And let me remind you that the door is standing open, and your young friend waiting for you on the stairs.”

“When I accompanied that youth here, sir, I did so with the purpose of adding, as a man whom you should not be permitted to put aside, in case you put him aside as a boy, that his instinct is correct and right.” Thus Bradley Headstone, with great effort and difficulty.

“Is that all?” asked Eugene.

“No, sir,” said the other, flushed and fierce. “I strongly support him in his disapproval of your visits to his sister, and in his objection to your officiousness⁠—and worse⁠—in what you have taken upon yourself to do for her.”

“Is that all?” asked Eugene.