I repeat--we are friends." He said it aggressively; his tone was almost a challenge, but the elder Errol did not appear to notice.
"I have never thought you a blackguard, Boney," he said quietly.
Nap's thin lips smiled cynically.

"You have never said it." "I have never thought it." There was no contradicting the calm assertion.
It was not the way of the world to contradict Lucas Errol.

"And I know you better than a good many," he said.
Nap stirred restlessly and was silent.
Lucas turned his eyes from him and seemed to fall into a reverie.
Suddenly, however, he roused himself.
"What does the doctor say about her ?" Nap frowned.

"He says very little.

After the manner of his tribe, he is afraid to commit himself; thinks there may be this injury or there may be that, but says definitely nothing.