"I think I know--partly--what was the matter.

Someone made a rather cruel remark about him, and someone else maliciously repeated it.

Then he was angry--very angry--and lost his self-control, and I suppose more cruel things were said.

And then he came here--he asked me--he actually asked me--if I was sure I didn't mind him!" A deep light was shining in her eyes as she ended, and an answering gleam came into Green's as he met them.
"I know," he said, in a low voice.

"It's infernally hard for him, poor chap! But it doesn't do to let him know we think so.