Now, he strikes me as not so bad a tyrant as I had somehow imagined, and perhaps the matter might be patched up between you.

Remember, we don't want to hear anything that you'd prefer to keep secret--just tell us as much or as little as you think fit.

You know we stand ready to give our full sympathy, and back you up to the limit.

Now, hit it up, my boy." Owen drew a big breath, as though he had to nerve himself to speak of these things to strangers; for he had hugged his troubles to his own breast these many years, and they had evidently become sensitive subjects with him.
But the ready sympathy which he saw upon the countenances of his comrades was a new sensation to the lonely lad, and he had no further hesitation about opening his heart to them.
"Don't make any mistake in the start, boys, for the trouble that lies between Alexander Gregory and myself can never be patched up, though if he had his way it would be.

But I can never forget that his iron will embittered the whole of my poor mother's life.