"Better smoke one's brains away than catch some infection in your doctor's shop. How do I know that some one with the epidemics hasn't been sitting in this chair?--ah! that's better. I say, it's a pity you don't smoke, Leigh." "Is it? Very well, then, I'll have a cigar with you to help keep off the infection. I did have a rheumatic patient in that chair this morning." "Eh? Did you? Oh, well, I'll risk that. Ah, now you look more sociable, and as if you hadn't got your back up because I called." "I couldn't have had, because I was very glad to see you." "Were you? Well, you didn't look it. You were saying about being bad for the mater. I don't believe she'll mind, if the guv'nor don't worry. She's about the most contented old girl that ever lived, if things will only go smooth. The crash comes hardest on poor me. It's Othello's occupation, gone, and no mistake, with yours truly. I say, don't you think I could turn surgeon? I have lots of friends in the Mid-West Pack, and if they knew I was in the profession I could get all the accidents." "No," said Leigh, smiling; "you are not cut out for a doctor." "I don't think I am cut out for anything, Leigh, and things look very black. I can farm, and of course if the guv'nor hadn't smashed I could have gone on all right. But it's heart-breaking, Leigh; it is, upon my soul. I haven't been home for weeks. Been along with an old aunt." "Why, you oughtn't to leave a sinking ship, my lad." "Well, I know that," said Claud, savagely; "and that's why I've come here." "Why you've come here?" said Leigh, staring. "Yes; don't pretend that you can't understand." "There is no pretence. Explain yourself." Claud Wilton had only just lit his pipe, but he tapped it empty on the bars, and sat gazing straight before him. "I want to do the square thing," he said; "but I'm such an impulsive beggar, and I can't trust myself. I want you to send for your sister home; Kate's all right again; mother told me so in a letter; and she has got her lawyer down there, and is transacting business. Look here, Leigh: it isn't right for me to be down there when your sister's at the Manor. I can't see a shilling ahead now, and it isn't fair to her." Leigh looked at him keenly. "I shall have to marry Kate after all," continued Claud, with a bitter laugh. "Do you hear, hated rival? We can't afford to let the chance go. Oh, I say, Leigh, I wish you'd give me a dose, and put me out of my misery, for I'm about the most unhappy beggar that ever lived." "Things do look bad for you, certainly," said Leigh. "How would it be if you tried for a stewardship to some country gentleman--you understand?" "Oh, yes, I understand stock and farming generally; but who'd have me? Hanged if I couldn't go and enlist in some cavalry regiment; that's about all I'm fit for." "Don't talk nonsense, my lad. Where are you staying?" "Nowhere--just come up. I shall have to get a cheap room somewhere."