a really goodguy, is all. Tommy appreciates it, too.BehindFreddie, Tom looked sheepish but grateful. Yes, Sir, he said.I cant thank you enough, Sir.Peopleneed their friends in hard times, Henry said, shrugging. Imglad Josh changed his mind.Theyall rode the omnibus north, Henry and Louis getting off with theirslaves while Freddie and Tom continued on.Thatwasnice of you, Louis said. I dont think Id go out of my wayfor anyone elses slave. Well, maybe Martin, since hes yours,but not any of the others.Whatabout Ralph? Hes Peters good friend.Louisshrugged. Maybe. Im just not as nice as you, Henry. Helaughed. I should probably try to be more like you, though, andless like James. That should be my whole plan going forward.Maybe.Henry wasnt going to discourage him. Toms having a roughtime of it, Henry said. I feel bad for him.Rememberwhen James had the clap? He was actually proudof it.Henryremembered. He and Louis had been so impressed by James, how Jameswas living life to the fullest, consequences be damned!Thetreatment was pretty terrible, though, Louis said. I think thecure was worse than the disease for James. He turned to Martin andasked, Hows Tom taking it?Oh,hes quite miserable, Sir, Martin assured him.Thisis all Freddies fault for letting him run wild, Louis decided.I imagine theyve both learned a lesson.Louisas moralizer was such a ludicrous proposition that Henry laughed,snorting, but did not explain himself when Louis gave him a quizzicallook.Theyall said their goodbyes at the Blackwell gate. Paul let them insideand took their coats.Martintook hold of Henrys wrist on the stairs and hurried him along,moving down the hallway just short of a run.InsideHenrys room, Martin locked the door and pushed Henry up againstit, hands flat on his chest.WhatIwant to thank you, Martin murmured, for being so kind to myfriend. He gave Henry a searching, hungry kiss while he busied hishands with Henrys trouser buttons.Henrykissed him back, his hands light on Martins shoulders and thenpulling his hair loose from its tail. I was happy to do it, hesaid, for you. I did it for you.Youdid it, Henry, and thats all that matters. He drew Henrysprick out of his drawers and went to his knees. Hold still, andlet me thank you properly.Fridayafternoon and evening were spent mostly naked, Martin rewarding Henryagain and again for his kindness toward Tom. Waking on Saturday, hepulled Martin down into the bed with him, aching with love. He wishedMartin could sleep in with him on Saturdays and Sundays, that theycould depend upon his parents being absent from the breakfast room sothat Martin might take weekend breakfasts with him.Showeredand shaved, Henry dressed in his blue plaid suit, but then rememberedhed worn it last time hed seen Jesse and changed instead intothe black-and-grey check. As he dressed, he noted that Martin waswearing his chrysanthemum waistcoat and kissed him for it, full offondness.Heate a big breakfast alone and Martin sat down and had a cup of coffeewith him, their feet touching under the table. Mother came in withPearl as they were leaving.Whereare you off to so early, darling?Immeeting Jesse, actually, Mother. Eli, as well.Mothergave him her rare, beautiful smile. Oh, darling, thatswonderful! Pearl