us. With most partners, I used arubber, but with my closest friends I went without. It probablywasnt smart. He shrugged again. But none of the companionsin my cohort had any problems with disease. There wasa footman in the cohort who caught the clap from the man who drovethe butchers wagonan outsider. Maybe it was false confidence,but we felt quite safe so long as we were just having fun with ourfriends.Well,Im glad you never got sick.Me,too. Martin held up Henrys jacket so he could slip his armsinto the sleeves. Ready?Ready,Henry agreed.Togetherthey descended to the basement.Timothywas in the slaves mess standing with Dora near the head of thetable. Their heads were close together and he was touching her handas they laughed. Seeing her like this, she was prettier than Henryhad realized. She might have been very beautiful twenty years ago.Slavesquieted as they noticed Henry, and Henry felt very conspicuouscrossing to where Timothy stood. Dora dipped in a quick curtsey andslipped away.Timothylooked happy to see Henry, as he invariably did. Good afternoon,Sir. How can I help you?Henryblushed in anticipation of discussing a delicate topic. Can wetalk to you in private?Certainly,Sir. We can use Randolphs office.Randolphwas in his office, but made way readily with assurances that it wasno trouble at all.Whatsthis about, Sir? Timothy asked.Itsabout Jerry and Arthur, Henry began haltingly, eyes on the floor.He had imagined Martin would tell Timothy what had happened since Tomwas Martins friend, but here he was, with Timothy asking him,and no graceful way to give Martin the responsibility instead.Myfriend Freddie Caldwell let me know today that his slave Tom has...hasgonorrhea, and Tom has been, uh, involved with Jerry and Arthur for alittle while, and it seems likely theyll need to be treated, too.The words came out in a rush. Henry dared a glance at Timothysface as he finished his speech.Timothysmiled and patted his arm soothingly. Dont worry. Its beingseen to already, Sir. The doctor is at the stables now. Mr. CaldwellSeniors companion called me this morning to inform me of thesituation. But it was good of you, Sir, to come to me, and it wasgood of your friend to take responsibility, as well. Youre allfine boys. He gave Henrys arm a squeeze and reached for thedoorknob.Arethey in trouble? Henry blurted.Timothylet go of the doorknob and smiled at him. No, Sir, theyre notin any trouble beyond this medical difficulty. Its an unfortunatecircumstance, and quite inconvenient, but theyve broken no rules.Its kind of you to think of them, though.Henryremembered them happy with Tom at the wedding party and felt so sorryfor them all.Isthere anything else, Sir? Martin?No,no, Henry said. Thats all.No,Mr. Tim.Timothyushered them out of Randolphs office and Henry went upstairs byhimself and did his homework. He thought he might get a B in English,or at least a B-minus, if he worked at it a little.WhenMartin came to dress Henry, he reported that neither Jerry nor Arthurhad come to the house for dinner, staying instead at the stables, butJohnny had taken them their meal and reported to Martin that theyseemed very angry and upset. Johnny knew nothing specific, of course,but Martin thought