He took another
deep puff on the pipe that had been given him, unable to work the
thought through.
They had remained thus for some time when at last the old man spoke.
From his patient movements and steady gaze throughout, and still more
from his present silence, the younger man sensed a profound caution
and wisdom. So now that he chose to speak, the prisoner deemed it best
to leave his disquiet for a time, to listen or to speak as was asked
of him, and to learn from the seasoned veteran what was needful.
"I don't ask you to tell me your name," he began. "In truth I'd rather
not know it, since what I don't know I can't tell. But if there's some
name you would be called, near enough the mark to feel it yours, but
wide enough to leave safe your parentage, I'd be pleased to learn it."
The younger man smiled. "Call me Jamie."
"Well then, Jamie. For the sake of an old man's curiosity, if nothing
else, won't you tell me something of yourself? The escape and such,
and what your plans are now. Needless to say you'll sleep in a bed
tonight, much better than that old crack in the northern cliffs.
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