That made, and still makes, a great difference to me." The girl appeared thoughtful.

"Does it ?" she said.

"Still, do you know, I fancy that if they had tried to drive you out, you would have stayed in spite of them ?" "Yes," said Winston dryly.

"I believe I would, but the fact that in a very little while they held out a friendly hand to a stranger steeped in suspicion, and gave him the chance to prove himself their equal, carries a big responsibility.

That, and your aunt's goodness, puts so many things one might have done out of the question." The obvious inference was that the prodigal had been reclaimed by the simple means of putting him on his honor, but that did not for a moment suggest itself to the girl.