“There’s nothing like that in Norfolk,” continued Jan, with perfect truth. “Do you remember the first time you took me up to the tower?” “I can’t say I do.” “What! not when we climbed out on the roof?” “I’ve climbed out on the roof so often.” “And there’s our cottage chimney; and just through that gate we used to play 'snob’!” Evan did not answer. He had looked at his watch, and was taking down some books. The hint was not to be ignored. “Well, I only came to say it wasn’t my fault,” said Jan. “_I_ never knew they were going to send me to the same school as you, or they’d have had a job to get me to come.” “Why?” asked Evan, more stiffly than he had spoken yet. “I shan’t interfere with you.” “I’m sure you won’t!” cried Jan, with the bitterness which had been steadily gathering in his heart. “Then what’s the matter with you? Do you think I’m going to tell the whole school all about you?” Jan felt that he was somehow being put in the wrong; and assisted in the process by suddenly becoming his most sullen self. “I don’t know,” he answered, hanging his head. “You don’t know! Do you think I’d think of such a thing?” “I think a good many would.” “You think I would?” “I don’t say that.” “But you think it?” Evan pressed him hotly. “I don’t think anything; and I don’t care what anybody thinks of me, or what anybody knows!” cried Jan, not lying, but speaking as he had suddenly begun to feel. “Then I don’t know why on earth you came to me,” said Evan scornfully. “No more do I,” muttered Jan; and out he went into the quad, and crossed it with a flaming face. But at the further side he turned. Evan’s door was still open, as Jan had left it, but Evan had not come out. Jan found him standing in the same attitude, with the book he had taken down, still unopened in his hand, and a troubled frown upon his face. “What’s the matter now?” asked Evan. “I’m sorry—Devereux!” “So am I.” “I might have known you wouldn’t tell a soul.” “I think you might.” “And of course I don’t want a soul to know. I thought I didn’t care a minute ago. But I do care, more than enough.” “Well, no one shall hear from me. I give you my word about that.” “Thank you!” Jan was holding out his hand. “Oh, that’s all right.” “Won’t you shake hands?” “Oh, with pleasure, if you like.” But the grip was all on one side. CHAPTER VII REASSURANCE