doctor says?" cried Tom, getting redder and redder in the face, his
rage was so great. "Hoh! no, sir."

"Then your Grandfather's life will be paid as a sacrifice," said Jasper
calmly. And he stood quite still; and surveyed the boy before him.

Neither spoke. It seemed to Jasper an age that they stood there in
silence. At last Tom wavered, put out his hand unsteadily, leaned
against a steamer chair, and turned his face away.

"Let us do a bit of a turn on the deck," said Jasper, suddenly,
overcoming by a mighty effort his repugnance to the idea.

Tom shook his head, and swallowed hard.

"Oh, yes," said Jasper, summoning all the cheerfulness he could muster
to his aid. "Come, it's the very thing to do, if you really want to
help your Grandfather."

Tom raised his head and looked at him. "I never supposed the old man
was sick," he said brokenly, and down went his head again, this time
upon his hands, which were grasping the top of the chair.

"I don't believe you did," answered Jasper. "But come, Tom, let's walk
around the deck; we can talk just as well meanwhile."

Two or three young men, with cigarettes in their mouths, came
sauntering up. "Tom Selwyn, you're a pretty fellow--"

Tom raised his head and looked at them defiantly.