"We need not bother him with questions just now." "Assuredly not," he agreed.

"Well, if you will, my lad, tell it to Isabel.

What is your age?
Barely fourteen?
Troubles at that age are not often incurable.

Only whatever you do--and you will pardon an old man for suggesting it--tell the whole truth.

When a man, though he be much older than you and his case more serious than yours can possibly be--when a man once brings himself to make a clean breast of it, the odds are on his salvation.