"
"Sure of that?"
"Why not?"
"Be honest. Would you?"
"You promised me first," said Lorimer.
"I know I did. Such idle promises to play don't count when real life
asks for work--it's no good reminding me of that promise. Answer me
straight, now, Lorry--on your honour. If I should give in and go with
you, you'd rejoice for a little, perhaps. Then, some day, when you and
I were lying on deck, you'd look at me and think of me--against your
will--I don't say it wouldn't be against your will--you'd think of me as
a quitter. And you wouldn't like me quite as well as you do now. Eh? Be
honest."
Lorimer was silent for a minute. Then, to Richard's surprise, he gave an
assenting grunt, and followed it up with a reluctant, "Hang it all, I
suppose you're right. But I'm badly disappointed, just the same. We'll
let that go."
And let it go they did, parting, when they reached town, with the
friendliest of grips, and a new, if not wholly comprehended, interest
between them. As for Richard, he felt, somehow, as if he had nailed his
flag to the mast!
CHAPTER XIX
IN THE MORNING
"By George, Carson, what do you think's happened now?"
Richard Kendrick had come into the store's little office like a
thunderbolt.
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