"You're lucky for certain. I'm glad Sarah Jane and her be such good friends." "So am I, and--and friendship's nothing if it won't---- Look here, may I say a thing to you on a delicate subject, Brendon? Will you promise not to be angered if I do it?" "If you speak of friendship, who can be angered?" asked Daniel. "What delicate subject should you have to speak to me about?" "The tenderest a man can touch to a neighbour. But from pure goodwill I speak it. You'll judge that when you hear me. A man doesn't strain friendship and say ticklish things for fun. 'Tis only out of kind feeling for you and Sarah Jane that I'm going to say it." "Better leave her out," said Daniel. "Her welfare's the same as mine. She've not got any good away from my good. If you do me a friendly turn, you'll be doing the same to she." "I can't leave her out. She's the matter." Brendon stopped and stared. "What be you talking about?" "About Sarah Jane. There it is. I told you 'twas a delicate matter. If you won't stand it, I'll leave it alone." "Go on," said Brendon shortly. His voice had changed, and Weekes noticed it. "Don't be angry for nought. It's a free country, and I've a right to my opinions, I suppose. I say again, 'twas a great act of friendship in me to touch this thing at all; but if you're going to take it in an evil spirit, I'll stop. 'Tis no better than the old saying of Lydford Law--when they hanged a man first and tried him afterwards--for you to speak in that tone of voice, and command me to go on, as if I was a servant and you the master." "What do you want, then?" "I want you to understand that I'm not doing this because I like it. I know the gravity of what I'm going to say; but I'm not a word-of-mouth friend, but a real one--where a man will let me be. So I say to you that unwise things are being done--not by Sarah Jane--not for a moment--but by Hilary Woodrow." "I must ask you to name them." Weekes did not answer immediately. Then he went to the heart of the matter, so far as he knew it. "They walk together. They meet--accident on her part, no doubt; but not on his. Yet could he meet her if he hadn't fixed to do it? 'Tisn't wrong, of course; but 'tisn't wise." "You've been watching Sarah Jane?" "Not I. What is it to me? They've been seen together in lonely places, that's all--no harm, of course--still----" The other blazed out and his voice rose. "You're a dirty-minded man to say these things to me, and 'tis far off from friendship that makes you say them! Quick to think evil--and wish evil. To cloud the fair name of a man's wife--because she's a fool----" "Don't be a fool yourself! I'm clouding nobody and nothing. I'm only telling you that----" "Tell me no more!" roared Daniel. "If I did, perhaps you wouldn't make such a silly row," answered Jarratt, hot in his turn. "Why, you great stupid lout, what is it to me if she's his mistress? I don't care a damn--I----"