“You see, he's lived such a long time in the world and seen such a dale,” said Pete. Ross looked up sharply and said in another tone, “I've just dropped in to congratulate you on your return home in safety and health and prosperity, Mr. Quilliam.” “You're welcome, sir,” said Pete. Pete led the way indoors. Ross followed, bowed distantly to Kate, who was unpicking a dress, and took a chair. “I must not conceal from you, however, that I have another object--in fact, a private matter,” said Ross, glancing at Kate. The dress rustled in Kate's fingers, her scissors dropped on to the table, and she rose to go. Pete raised his hand. “My wife knows all my business,” he said. Ross gave out another little chirp of laughter. “You'll remember what they say of a secret, Captain--too big for one, right for two, tight for three.” “A man and his wife are one, sir--so that's two altogether,” said Pete. Kate took up the scissors and went on with her work uneasily. Ross twisted on his seat and said, “Well, I feel I _must_ tell you, Peter.” “Quilliam, sir,” said Pete, charging a pipe; but Ross pretended not to hear. “Only natural, perhaps, for it--in fact, it's about our father.” “Tongue with me, tongue with thee,” thought Pete, lighting up. “Five years ago he made me an allowance, and sent me up to London to study law. He believes I've been called to the English bar, and, in view of this vacant Deemstership, he wants me admitted to the Manx one.” Pete's pipe stopped in its puffing. “Well?” “That's impossible,” said Ross. “Things haven't come with you, eh?” “To tell you the truth, Captain, on first going up I fell into extravagant company. I thought my friends were rich men, and I was never a niggard. There was Monty, the patron of the Fancy”--the scissors in Kate's hand clicked and stopped--and Ross blurted out, “In fact, I've _not_ been called, and I've never studied at all.” Ross squirmed in his chair, glancing under his brows at Kate. Pete leaned forward and puffed up the chimney without speaking. “You see I speak freely, Peter--something compels me. Well, if a man can't reveal his little failings to his own brother, Peter----” “Don't let's talk about brothers,” said Pete. “What am I to do for you?” “Lend me enough to help me to do what our father thinks I've done already,” said Ross, and then he added, hastily, “Oh, I'll give you my note of hand for it.” “They're telling me, sir,” said Pete, “your notes of hand are as cheap as cowries.” “Some one has belied me to you, Captain. But for our father's sake--he has set his heart on this Deemstership--there may still be time for it.” “Yes,” said Pete, striking his open hand on the table, “and better men to fill it.” Ross glanced at Kate, and a smile that was half a sneer crossed his evil face. “How nice,” he said, “when the great friends of the wife are also the great friends of the husband.”