"Sit down there! Curl up if you like, and don't move till I come back!" He indicated the sofa, and quite gently but with decision freed his arm from the nervously gripping hands.
"You won't send me back ?" the boy urged with quivering supplication.
"No, I won't do that," said Saltash as he went away.
He swore once or twice with considerable energy ere he returned, cursing the absent Antonio in language that would have outmatched the Italian's own.

Then, having relieved his feelings, he abruptly laughed to himself and pursued his errand with business-like briskness.
Returning, he found his _protege_ in a small heap on the sofa, with his head deep in the cushion as though he sought escape from the light.

Again the feeling of harbouring some small animal in pain came to him, and he frowned.

The mute misery of that huddled form held a more poignant appeal than any words.
"Look here,--Toby!" he said.

"I've brought you something to eat, and when you've had it you'd better get a sleep.