did not wish to play it, unless he were obliged. "It was beastly early to get up," he said, "but the connection at Normanton is so much better. One has to wait two hours by the late train, and Normanton is such a hole. I don't know that I should have come up to town at all, just yet," he continued after a slight pause, "only that I'm on the committee at the club this term, you know, and I haven't attended a single meeting yet. Besides, I promised Westover to put him up this time, and the half-yearly meeting's to-morrow, you know. Got any engagement? If not, you might dine with me there. Always a full night election time, you know!" "Beastly sorry! but my leave's up to night," Arthur answered ruefully. "I shall have to go down to Aldershot by the four o'clock train, and do a week's close grind." Paul nodded. "I'm sorry; I'd have liked you to run down home with me for a few days, and see the mater. The Westovers have some very nice people coming to the Castle, and are going to get up some theatricals. Lady May says they must have you! Will you come in a week, if I work the Colonel?" [pg 82] [pg 82] "I'm afraid I can't," Arthur answered, with a slight flush in his cheeks. "I have some engagements for next week, and—and—I'm sure I can't manage it." "The mater'll be disappointed," Paul said quietly. "She is counting on seeing you, and it's some time since you were down, isn't it? Tell you what, old man! I'd try and manage it, if I were you!" "I can't promise! I will, if I can manage it! I'll write you from Aldershot!" "You don't look quite the thing," Paul said kindly. "Nothing the matter, is there?" "Nothing at all," Arthur assured him hastily. "I'm quite well. A bit of a head, that's all." "Not too many of those bits of paper about, eh?" Paul asked, pointing to an oblong strip of blue paper which lay, face uppermost, on the table. Arthur coloured, and threw a book over it. "I am sorry I saw it," Paul went on; "but it was there to be seen, wasn't it?" "Oh, yes! that's all right! I oughtn't to have left it about, that's all. I'm not exactly a Crœsus, like you, you know, Paul, and now and then I'm obliged to raise the wind
Prev.
Back
Top