Strangwayes was sitting upright in bed now. “You are to fight Bellasis?” he repeated. Hugh nodded. “Have you the time to come out to the field with me, Dick? George offered, but I’d rather—” “Did George Allestree suffer you enter on such a quarrel?” There was a sharp, ringing quality in Strangwayes’ voice Hugh had seldom heard. “Nay, ’tis no fault of George,” he answered quickly, and detailed all that had befallen at the ordinary. Strangwayes dropped back on his elbow. “Hugh, you fool, you babe!” he broke out, still with that odd quality in his voice. “That scoundrel trapped you deliberately; he durst not meet your father again; he tried to trap you, and you suffered him!” “I could do nothing else,” Hugh answered. “Well, get to bed now,” Strangwayes said in his kindest tone. “You must have all the rest you can before you go to spit our friend Philip.” Lying down obediently, Hugh stared at the moonlight creeping along the floor, and listened to the watch that paced the street below. Strangwayes at his side breathed uneasily and once or twice turned somewhat; but Hugh lay quiet till his opened eyes ached and were heavy, and he slept a sleep full of dreams. When he came broad awake again there was chilly daylight in the room, and Strangwayes was up and half dressed. “What sort of day is it?” Hugh asked. “A gray day,” Dick answered cheerily. “’Tis good for your work. There’ll be no sun to dazzle either of you.” Hugh got up, and in the midst of drawing on his clothes glanced at Dick’s watch, where he saw it was past their rising hour. “Is this the way you pamper a fighter, as if I were one of Butler’s gamecocks?” he asked. “You were sleeping well,” Strangwayes answered; “’twere pity to wake you. I’ll fetch some breakfast and we’ll eat together here.” “You can get food from the shop below; you’ve no need of your hat and cloak. Where are you going, Dick?” Strangwayes hesitated an instant while he drew his cloak about him, then replied, “I am going to your father.” “You shall not!” Hugh cried, and, crossing to the door, set his back against it. “Assuredly I shall,” Strangwayes answered. “The matter has gone beyond jest.” “He will call me a snivelling coward,” Hugh pleaded; “he will say I made a mash of it and then came whimpering to him.” “Let him,” Strangwayes interrupted, “’tis his quarrel and he should manage it himself. Why did you ever thrust in?” “I know not,” Hugh answered. “Only he is my father. And he is no coward. They lied about him in that. And he was not there to reply. I had to come in.” “Well, he can come in now,” Strangwayes retorted, and strode over to the door. Hugh thrust up one arm against his friend’s chest. “You will not tell him?” he begged. “I know you can put me aside, Dick; you’re the stronger. But prithee, do not use me thus. He despises me so already. I’d liefer Bellasis killed me twice over. You won’t speak a word to him, Dick?”