At present he was thoroughly disgusted with the consequences of what he knew to be in some degree the result of his own feeling that he was bound to care for the man whose tie to him was one few men would have considered as in any serious degree obligatory.

The night brought good counsel, and he made up his mind next morning simply to let the foster-brother alone.

Fate decreed otherwise.

In the morning he was asked by his wife to go with her to the village; she wanted some advice.

He did not ask what, but said, "Of course.