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AND OLD SIR JOHN

241

“Your father’s name?” Sir John said.

“My father’s name was Thomas Marsham.”

“Doubtless he bred you to the sea.”

‘He did.”

"He broke the hearts of his father and his mother.”

Phil stood silent in the hall and looked Sir John in the eye. Since there seemed to be no reply, he waited for the knight to speak again.

“Tom Marsham’s father and mother are dead, but within the year, lad, they stood where you are standing now. It was the last time I saw them.”

What could a young man say? Phil Marsham remembered well the one time he had himself seen them. Who knew what might have happened had he spoken? But the chance was gone, and for ever.

“There is no place for Philip Marsham in my servants’ hall,” said Sir John. "His father — but no! Let the dead lie. There is no place for Philip Marsham in my servants’ hall. Under my roof he is my guest.”