Daniel was astonished, disconcerted, but showed no disposition to close the interview; turning, he walked along by his brother.

“I suppose I know what you refer to.  But let me explain.  I think my explanation will interest you.”

“No, I’m afraid it will not,” replied Piers quietly.

“In any case, lend me your ears.  You are offended by my failure to pay that debt.  Well, my nature is frankness, and I will plead guilty to a certain procrastination.  I meant to send you the money; I fully meant to do so.  But in the first place, it took much longer than I expected to realise the good old man’s estate, and when at length the money came into my hands, I delayed and delayed—­just as one does, you know; let us admit these human weaknesses.  And I procrastinated till I was really ashamed—­you follow the psychology of the thing?  Then I said to myself:  Now it is pretty certain Piers is not in actual want of this sum, or he would have pressed for it.  On the other hand, a day may come when he will really be glad to remember that I am his banker for a hundred and fifty pounds.  Yes—­I said—­I will wait till that moment comes; I will save the money for him, as becomes his elder brother.  Piers is a good fellow, and will understand. Voila!”

Piers kept silence.

“Tell me, my dear boy,” pursued the other.  “Alexander of course paid that little sum he owed you?”

“He too has preferred to remain my banker.”

“Now I call that very shameful!” burst out Daniel.  “No, that’s too bad!”

“How did you know he owed me money?” inquired Piers.

“How?  Why, he told me himself, down at Hawes, after you went.  We were talking of you, of your admirable qualities, and in his bluff, genial way he threw out how generously you had behaved to him, at a moment when he was hard up.  He wanted to repay you immediately, and asked me to lend him the money for that purpose; unfortunately, I hadn’t it to lend.  And to think that, after all, he never paid you!  A mere fifty pounds!  Why, the thing is unpardonable!  In my case the sum was substantial enough to justify me in retaining it for your future benefit.  But to owe fifty pounds, and shirk payment—­no, I call that really disgraceful.  If ever I meet Alexander——!”

Piers was coldly amused.  When Daniel sought to draw him into general conversation, with inquiries as to his mode of life, and where he dwelt, the younger brother again spoke with decision.  They were not likely, he said, to see more of each other, and he felt as little disposed to give familiar information as to ask it; whereupon Daniel drew himself up with an air of dignified offence, and saying, “I wish you better manners,” turned on his heel.

Piers walked on at a rapid pace.  Noticing again a well-dressed prowler of the pavement, whose approaches this time were welcomed, a feeling of nausea came upon him.  He hailed a passing cab, and drove home.