Just for a minute," he said.

"But, look here, Tommy! Don't you let your sister suspect that you've been making a confidant of me! I don't fancy it would please her.

Put on a grin, man! Don't look bowed down with family cares! She is probably quite capable of looking after herself--like the rest of 'em." He clapped a careless hand on the lad's shoulder as they turned up the path together towards the streaming red light.
"You're a bit of a woman-hater, aren't you ?" said Tommy.
And Monck laughed again his short, rather bitter laugh; but he said no word in answer..