It rests with you to save him or not."
Captain Barker stood up.
"You'll abide by my decision?"
"Certainly." Captain Runacles crossed his legs and eyed the visitor
deliberately.
"Then," said the little man, dragging out the words syllable by
syllable, "there, my lord, are your hat and cloak. Oblige me by
quitting this house of mine at once."
"God bless you, Jack!" muttered his friend. The Earl's brow did not
even flush at the rebuff. Throughout his career this extraordinary
man was able to overlook the contempt of others as easily as he
disregarded their sufferings. Probably, as Captain Runacles had
said, he lacked a gift.
On this occasion he picked up his hat and cloak without a trace of
discomposure.
"I understand you to refuse my offer?" he said.
"Yes."
"You prefer that the young man should receive six dozen lashes
to-morrow morning."
Captain Barker winced and his mouth contracted painfully.
"My lord, I took that boy from his dead mother when he was a few
hours old. Never in his life has a hand been laid upon him in anger.
He will hardly understand what it means. But he has been taught to
know honour and to cherish it. I choose as he would choose, were he
here."
"Are you going, my lord?" added Captain Jemmy.
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