That was all about it." The boy was utterly unconscious that he was treading on delicate ground as he rattled on in his warmhearted, frank, and generous way.

Totally oblivious that the very name of Ruthven must be unwelcome if not offensive to his listener, he laughed through a description of the affair, its thrilling episodes, and Mrs.Jack Ruthven's blind luck in the draw.
"One moment," interrupted Selwyn, very gently; "do you mind saying whether you banked my check and drew against it ?" "Why, no; I just endorsed it over." "To--to whom ?--if I may venture--" "Certainly," he said, with a laugh; "to Mrs.Jack--" Then, in a flash, for the first time the boy realised what he was saying, and stopped aghast, scarlet to his hair.
Selwyn's face had little colour remaining in it, but he said very kindly: "It's all right, Gerald; don't worry--" "I'm a beast!" broke out the boy; "I beg your pardon a thousand times." "Granted, old chap.

But, Gerald, may I say one thing--or perhaps two ?" "Go ahead! Give it to me good and plenty!" "It's only this: couldn't you and I see one another a little oftener?
Don't be afraid of me; I'm no wet blanket.

I'm not so very aged, either; I know something of the world--I understand something of men.
I'm pretty good company, Gerald.

What do you say ?" "I say, _sure_!" cried the boy warmly.
"It's a go, then.