[_Sullenly._] I knew it was all my fault.
ALEC.
The natives have made up their minds to join the slave-traders, and we shall be attacked on all sides to-morrow. We can"t hold out against G.o.d knows how many thousands.
GEORGE.
D"you mean you"ll all be killed?
ALEC.
If we remain here there"s no escape.
GEORGE.
[_In a whisper._] What are you going to do to me, Alec?
[ALEC _walks up and down the tent_.
ALEC.
[_Presently._] I think you might go and see your patients now, doctor.
DOCTOR.
Very well.
d.i.c.k.
Shall I go too, Alec?
ALEC.
No, you can stay here. But don"t open your mouth till you"re spoken to.
[THE DOCTOR _goes out_.
GEORGE.
I"m sorry I did that silly thing just now. I"m glad I didn"t hit you.
ALEC.
It doesn"t matter at all. I"d forgotten all about it.
GEORGE.
I lost my head, I didn"t know what I was doing.
ALEC.
You need not trouble about that. In Africa even the strongest people are apt to get excited and lose their balance.
[ALEC _re-lights his pipe, and there its a very short pause_.
ALEC.
Did you ever know that before we came away I asked Lucy to marry me?
GEORGE.
I knew you cared for her.
ALEC.
She asked me to bring you here in the hope that you would regain the good name of your family. I think that is the object she has most at heart in the world. It"s as great as her love for you. The plan hasn"t been much of a success, has it?
GEORGE.
She ought to have known that I wasn"t suited for this kind of life.
ALEC.
I saw very soon that you were weak and irresolute. But I hoped to make something of you. Your intentions seemed good enough, but you never had the strength to carry them out.... I"m sorry if I seem to be preaching to you.
GEORGE.
[_Bitterly._] Oh, d"you think I care what any one says to me now?
ALEC.
[_Gravely, but not unkindly._] Then I found you were drinking. I told you that no man could stand liquor in this country, and you gave me your word of honour that you wouldn"t touch it again.
GEORGE.
Yes, I broke it. I couldn"t help it; the temptation was too strong.
ALEC.
When we came to the station at Muneas you and Macinnery got blind drunk, and the whole camp saw you. I ought to have sent you back to the coast then, but it would have broken Lucy"s heart.
GEORGE.
It was Macinnery"s fault.
ALEC.
It"s because I thought he was to blame that I sent him back alone. I wanted to give you another chance. It struck me that the feeling of authority might have some influence on you, and so when we came to the lake I left you to guard the ferry. I put the chief part of the stores in your care and marched on. I needn"t remind you what happened then.