"Mind you are back by 8:30, though, for I'll have lock-up punctual to-night, while there's so much row going on." "Thanks, Fairbairn," said Wyndham.

"I say, what a stunning score our house knocked up in the second innings.

Why, we--" "Cut off," cried Fairbairn, "and tell Riddell all about it.

Come on, you fellows." Wyndham hurried on full of the prospect of a talk over the match with Riddell.
Just at the door of Welch's, however, he met Silk.
The two had scarcely met since the day of the election, when Wyndham, to spite Riddell, had joined himself to this bad friend, and yielded to his persuasion to go down, against leave, to Shellport.
"Oh, young 'un," said Silk, in friendly tones, "you turned up?
I'd almost given you up for good." "I'm going to Riddell's," said Wyndham, determined for once to stand by his colours and have nothing more to do with this tempter.
Silk's face fell, as it always did when Riddell's name was mentioned.
He had imagined the boy was coming to see him, and it did not please him to find himself mistaken.
"Are you ?" said he.

"Come along to my study first, though; I want to speak to you." "I can't come, thank you," said Wyndham.
"Can't! Why ever not ?" exclaimed Silk.
"I don't want to come, that's why," said Wyndham, doggedly, and attempting to move past.
But this by no means suited Silk.
"Suppose I tell you you _must_ come," demanded he, stepping in front of the boy with a menacing air.
"Please let me go by," repeated Wyndham, making another attempt.
"Not till you tell me what you mean by saying you won't do as I tell you." "I mean that I'm not going to your study," said young Wyndham.
"Oh, very well," said Silk, standing back to let him pass.
There was something in his tone and manner as he said the words which made Wyndham uneasy.