“I’d have thought ye less of a young fool! I would have gone away with ye, and nothing would have stopped me!”

Jack looked up and met his eyes.

“I know,” he said. “ ’Twas the thought of that⁠—and⁠—and⁠—I could not be sure. How should I know whether you would even receive me? Last night⁠—last night⁠—I was horribly afraid.⁠ ⁠…”

The hand on his knee tightened.

“Ye foolish boy! Ye foolish boy!”

Bit by bit he drew the story of the past six years out of Carstares, and though it was a very modified version, Miles understood his friend well enough to read between the lines.

“And now,” said Jack, when the recital was over, “tell me about yourself. When did you marry the attractive lady whom I have just been kissing?”