"All right," Saltash said again. "It's up to you. I shan't interfere.
Don't expect too much of me; that's all I ask! I'm not considered exactly
a suitable companion for young things like you."

He drew his hand away and lighted his cigarette. Toby turned his face
into the cushion and lay very still.

Larpent, returning, wondered what his patron had been saying to make the
boy's eyes wet with tears, but betrayed no curiosity on the subject.

"Are you going to let him stay in here?" he asked, as he bound a
lotion-soaked pad over the damaged eye.

"For the present," said Saltash. "Any objection?"

"Not the smallest." Larpent's tone was absolutely noncommittal. "Make him
lie quiet, that's all!"

"He'll do that," said Saltash with confidence.

"Good!" said Larpent. "We're in for a blow before we reach Gib or I'm
much mistaken."

"Do us all good," said Saltash with satisfaction.

Larpent looked grim and said no more.

"Frightened?" asked Saltash of Toby when he was gone.

Toby chuckled at the thought. "Not a bit, sir."