throughyour head, son. Were you overcome with some irresistible urge?Er...How should he explain it? I wasnt really thinking? he tried,his tone tentative.Fatherabruptly turned his attention to Martin. So, Martin. What was youropinion of this plan?S-sir?Martins voice came out high and unsteady.Youheard me. Did you think this was a good idea?Oh,Sir, I-I dont know... Martin was floundering, and Henry hatedthat hed put him in such a position.No,Henry answered for him. No, he didnt, sir. He thought it was abad idea and told me we shouldnt.Butyou didnt listen to him.Ishould have, Henry admitted.Fathersheavy silence reinforced that Father shared this opinion.Iunderstand you were half-dressed, the both of you, Fathercontinued, but the reporter didnt see much of anything, and hisrecounting was short on salacious details. I might easily sue him forlibel should he report anything beyond bare chests and foolishness.Wewere in tall grass, Henry offered tentatively. He couldnthave seen much. And then, boldly, remembering all hed discussedwith Martin, he said, He didnt see anything, anyway, becausethere wasnt anything to see. He felt his face go hot with thelie.Fathergave him a long, considering look. Thats the line to take,Henry. He puffed on his cigar and sat pensive for a moment,sipping his scotch.Henrystared at his hands in his lap, twitching and nervous.WhenFather spoke again at last he said, Youre a gentleman, Henry. Ayoung gentleman, with all the rights and responsibilities that goalong with that status. The services of a companion are one of theperquisites of your position, but I expect you to use those servicesappropriately. Gentlemen dont exact favors from their slaves inpublic, certainly not when the slave is advising against it.No,sir, Henry agreed.Shouldyou require a change of venue, Father pointed out, his tonesomewhat caustic, this house has a great many unused rooms.Oh,this was mortifying! Th-that wont be necessary, sir.Yourelacking in common sense, Father remarked, shaking his head andknocking the ash from his cigar. Youre impulsive to a worrisomedegree.Imsorry, sir.Oneexpects young men to be...spirited, but this was just extravagantlyfoolhardy!Yes,sir.Imat a something of loss as to how to punish the two of you, Fathersaid. If I take Martin away from you, it makes more work for theothers.Henryfroze, blood running cold. He gritted his teeth against a wail ofprotest.Timothythinks the embarrassment of being caught at your tomfoolery ispunishment enough, but hes always been soft-hearted when it comesto you.I-Iappreciate that Timothy cares for me, sir.Yes,well. Youre to be restricted to the house for the next week.School and home again, no dilly-dallying and no socializing.Certainly no riding or walks in the park.Shocked,Henry blinked and went still. Was that it? Would that be the entiretyof his punishment?Timothywill have some extra work downstairs for Martin during the week, aswell. A little time apart will give you perspective, I think.Thatseems fair, sir, Henry said tentatively, hiding his eagerness.Anything was fair, so long as Martin wasnt being taken away.Asthe son of a rich man, Father pointed out, your mistakes areall bound to be costly ones. Again, he stopped speaking to sip hisscotch and puff on his cigar. I can easily afford to cover foryour indiscretions, Henry, but surely you can see its better foryou to not