" But he knew even then that it was not
true. His heart had leapt at the very thought. He drew his fair brows
together in the portentous Stonehouse scowl. "It's silly to mind what
silly people think. And kicking goals is no good. I'm going to be a
doctor--not just the ordinary sort--a big doctor--and I'll discover
things--and people like Christopher'll come and beg me to keep them alive."
Rufus sighed deeply.
"I wish I was like that. I mind awfully--being ragged, and all that. I
was awfully miserable until you came. If you went away--or didn't care
any more--I don't know what I'd do. But if I went away you wouldn't
mind----"
"Yes, I would."
"But you're so much stronger."
"I like being strongest."
And then and there he expounded the doctrine of the Survival, and Rufus
began to shiver all over like a frightened pony.
"I think it's perfectly beastly. What'll happen to me? Anyone can lick
me. I wouldn't have a chance."
The tears came into his round, blue eyes and trickled down his freckled
cheeks, and a sudden choking tenderness, a dim perception of all that this
one friend meant to him, made Robert fling his arms about him and hug him
close.
"Yes--you would. Because I'll look after you--always--honest injun."
2
There was one secret that he never told to anyone--not even to Cosgrave.
He was ashamed of it. He knew it was silly--sillier than in believing in
God--and he had almost succeeded in forgetting it when it came true.
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