He had counted confidently on my taking his side--it was pitiable to see him, poor fellow! Still, for his own sake, I refused to yield.

I left him the choice of giving her the true explanation himself, or of leaving me to do it.

There wasn't a moment to lose; she was in no humour to be trifled with, I can tell you! Oscar behaved very well about it--he always behaves well when I drive him into a corner! In one word, he was man enough to feel that he was the right person to make a clean breast of it--not I.I gave the poor old boy a hug to encourage him, pushed him into the room, shut the door on him, and came out here.

He ought to have done it by this time.

He _has_ done it! Here he comes!" Oscar ran out, bareheaded, from the house.