Part 28 (2/2)

”I know it. Remember, I have been in the battle, and came out upper dog.

So long as you win the race, what does it matter whether you had a good start or not?”

”Anyway, I shall keep you to your word. If I feel that awful thirst coming on me; feel, as I have felt, that h.e.l.l's got its doors gaping wide open for me, I shall worry you.”

”You won't; not worry me. Come that moment you hear the hinges start creaking, and we'll try, try together, to keep the doors shut.”

”That you should take all this trouble----”

”Trouble be hanged! Don't you know how easy it is to poke another man's fire?”

Masters' eyes looked honestly into d.i.c.k's; he was very honest of purpose. Wanted, with all his soul, to keep those doors closed. For the sake of the woman whose trust had been betrayed; for the sake of the little one. He knew how facile is the descent into h.e.l.l. Knew, too, that a man ambitious to make a fool of himself never lacks help.

How s.h.i.+nes a good deed in this bad world! The goodness of his own was illuminating Masters' eyes at that moment. And he had no fear of the proverb: that if he conferred a favour he might expect ingrat.i.tude.

Plainly, Rigby was not built on those lines.

d.i.c.k was not much of a psychologist or mind reader. Saw only the honest eyes bright with enthusiasm; found them inspiriting; knew nothing of the inner thought prompting this extraordinary kindness.

His was not an inquiring nature; in his happy-go-lucky way he accepted Fate unquestionably. Help had come in his way, and he snapped at it as suddenly as if it were a dish of snapdragon. In response to Masters'

words, he mentally thanked his stars, physically held out his hand. In silence, gratefully gripped his companion; was too thankful to speak.

Masters resumed his a.s.sumption of cheerfulness. Knew the difficulty he had to face before he spoke: putting seed into the ground does not make a harvest certain; said:

”Now, there is another thing to discuss: about the grub.”

”My dear old chap!” Earnestness, conviction in his tone. ”I feel as if I shouldn't touch food again for months.”

”I know. That's not an unusual symptom.” Masters affected to laugh. ”I felt like that. And if you go to the saloon table you'll feel like it for quite a while. Look here now!” He spoke suddenly, as if inspired with an idea. ”Will you leave your commissariat to me?”

”To you! But why on earth, now, should you be troubled to----”

Masters let a shade of annoyance creep over his face. There was no misreading it. a.s.suming, too, a tone of regret; he said:

”You mean that? That you would rather I did not interfere?”

The facial expression and voice had the desired effect. Cheated the younger man--surely he must be very young!--into expostulating:

”My dear old chap! For Heaven's sake don't think I mean anything of that sort! I'll do whatever you say.”

So he would; that was plainly evident. The strong will had conquered the weaker. Masters felt overjoyed at his success. Most hearts have secret drawers in them containing some good traits: if we can only find the spring.

Moreover, strange as it seemed, Masters was conscious of the birth of a liking for his young companion. He was surprised, too, to realize that he was but a boy. Had thought him five-and-twenty at first; now imagined him to be not much over one-and-twenty years of age--if that.

It was, in a measure, a welcome surprise. His imagination had portrayed Rigby as a hardened debauchee; sunken in vice as sodden in drink.

Mingled with the surprise, too, was a feeling of wonder that Gracie's mother should, with one younger than herself----But there, he told himself, there was no accounting for these things; there was no logic or reason in them.

”Very well, then”--Masters speaking, his face cleared of its cloud--”I'll arrange with the steward and the cook. Fresh milk, while it lasts, and beef tea right away till you feel you can compa.s.s solidity little and often; that is my prescription.”

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