Little did the speakers dream of the connection between the boat-race and young Wyndham; in fact, the latter topic, as he knew quite well, had been started on purpose to get over the awkwardness which his own confusion about the former had caused.
But to Riddell, with that knife burning in his pocket, it was all one prolonged torture, so that he was heartily glad when at length his friends rose to depart.
He excused himself from walking across the quadrangle with them, and said good-night in a spiritless way, very different from the cheery manner in which he had welcomed them an hour ago.
"I never saw such a rum fellow as Riddell," said Coates, as the three strolled over.

"Did you see how cut up he got when something was said about the boat-race ?" "He's a little cracked on that subject," said Fairbairn.

"I do believe, until the culprit is found out, he considers himself responsible for the whole affair." "Well, to judge by his looks he might have been the culprit himself," said Porter, laughing.

"Hullo, here's young Wyndham." "Where are you off to ?" asked Fairbairn, with due monitorial solemnity, of that flighty youth; "don't you know it's nearly eight ?" "Oh, do you mind my going across to Riddell's ?" asked the boy; "he'll think I've cut him if I don't show up.

I've not been to his room for half a week." "It's a curious thing he has survived it so long," said Fairbairn, laughing.