Alpha Book

At least there would be compensation. Yet, with the thought
came the clear conviction of its futility. The boy had brushed too close
to dishonour not to recognise it. And if this were not a lifelong lesson
to him, no promises forced from him in his dire need and distress, no
oaths, no pledges could bind him; no blame, no admonition, no scorn, no
contempt, no reproach could help him to see more clearly the pit of
destruction than he could see now.
"You need sleep, Gerald," he said quietly. "Don't worry; I'll see that
your check is not dishonoured; all you have to see to is yourself.
Good-night, my boy."
But Gerald could not speak; and so Selwyn left him and walked slowly
back to his own room, where he seated himself at his desk, grave,
absent-eyed, his unfilled pipe between his teeth.
And he sat there until he had bitten clean through the amber mouthpiece,
so that the brier bowl fell clattering to the floor. By that time it was
full daylight; but Gerald was still asleep.


Pages:
384 385 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 396 397 398 399 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408