Part 21 (1/2)

But I had had enough of this. Gently but irresistibly I took her arm.

”Come along, Kitty,” I said quietly. ”I particularly want to talk to you.”

She quailed, but still hung back.

”Very well,” I said. ”Will you tell me where you're going?”

She was obstinately silent.

”You're going with Evie, of course?”

I knew by the little rush with which she spoke that she was telling the truth and was relieved to be able to do so. ”Oh no!” she said. ”I'm going quite alone, quite alone--honour, Jeff!”

”Evie's not going with you--to Store Street or wherever it is?”

She stiffened. ”I don't know what you mean by Store Street, and I think you've got Evie on the brain,” she said.

What the devil ailed them all?

And why had Evie said she was going with Kitty?

As abruptly as I turned away from the one I now turned away from the other.

The next moment: ”Er--'Jeffries!” I Heard.

It was Weston with my five s.h.i.+llings. I turned.

”Oh, Jeffries! I'm sorry to say--glad in one sense of course--that Professor Hitchc.o.c.k will be taking the cla.s.s again next Friday. The college wishes--wishes to thank you for stopping the gap as you have done. It's been most obliging of you.”

I said something--I was glad Hitchc.o.c.k was better, I said.

”Yes--er--he's quite well again now--quite on his feet again,” said the secretary-bird. ”And--er--Jeffries--I'm exceedingly sorry, but I've a rather unpleasant duty to perform.”

I was utterly mystified. ”What is it now?” I demanded almost roughly.

”It's that the Board is of opinion--has come to the conclusion--that consisting as we do of younger students than yourself--it would be of advantage--perhaps of advantage to you too if--if----”

I helped him out. ”If I don't come again?”

”I wished to break it gently to you--but that _is_ the substance of it,”

he stammered.

Curious....

”Thank you, Weston,” I said. ”I quite understand. Will you please tell them that I didn't ask for any explanation?”

Exceedingly curious....

”Yes, yes, yes,” he murmured sympathetically.