Mr Armstrong had rarely felt himself so put out, and crashed away ruthlessly at his piano all the morning.
Roger, perhaps conscious that logic was not on his side, whatever instinct and feeling might be, retired disappointed and miserable to the park, and never remembered his appointment with the eager Tom.
At lunch-time he said to Captain Oliphant-- "When did you think of going to town ?" "At the end of the week, my boy.

What do you say to coming ?" "Yes--I'll come." The Captain darted a triumphant glance in the direction of the tutor.
But the tutor was investigating the contents of a game pie in the endeavour to discover a piece of egg for Miss Jill.
After a pause that young lady took up her discourse.
"If father and Roger go to town, Tom, we shall have dear Mr Armstrong all to ourselves." "Hooroo!" said Tom; "that is, if it's holidays." "I am thinking of going to Oxford next week," said the tutor, elaborately folding up his napkin, addressing his co-trustee.

"Have you any message I can give to any of your acquaintances there ?" "I think it would be a pity for you to leave Maxfield just now.

One of us should remain." "Yes, do stay.

We'll have such larks," said Tom.