Was it, he wondered, Robin's fault or his own that there was that barrier so strangely defined between them even now? He could feel it there in the room with them now. He wondered whether Robin felt it as well. "It is about what my aunt said to you this morning--and other things--other things right from the beginning, ever since you came back. I'm not much of a chap at talking, and probably I shan't say what I mean, but I will try. I've been thinking about it all lately, but what made me come and speak to you was this morning--having to ask you a favour after being so rude to you. A chap doesn't like doing that, and it made me think--besides there being other things." "Oh, there's no need to thank me about this morning," Harry said drily; "I shall be very pleased to do what I can." "Oh, it isn't that," Robin said quickly. "It isn't about that somehow that I mind at all now; I have been worrying about it a good bit, but that isn't what I want to speak about. I'll go through with it--Breach of Promise--or whatever it is--if only you wouldn't think me--well, quite an utter rotter." "I wish," said Harry quietly, "that you would sit down. I'm sure that you would find it easier to talk." Robin looked at him for a moment and then at the chair--then he sat down. "You see, somehow grandfather's dying has made things seem different to one--it has made one younger somehow. I used to think that I was really very old and knew a lot; but his death has shown me that I know nothing at all--really nothing. But there have been a lot of things all happening together--your coming back, that business with Dahlia--Miss Feverel, you know--a dressing down that I got from Miss Bethel the other evening, and then grandfather's dying----" He paused again and cleared his throat. He looked straight into the fire, and, every now and again, he gave a little choke and a gasp which showed that he was moved. "A chap doesn't like talking about himself," he went on at last; "no decent chap does; but unless I tell you everything from the beginning it will never be clear--I must tell you everything----" "Please--I want to hear."