"I shall send him an enormous wire," said Savile—"he's more likely to read it than a letter—explaining the whole thing, and telling him to come home at once. I shan't ask for an answer."
"Why not?"
"Because I shouldn't get it."
"Good. That's a capital idea. But—a—Savile, can you afford these luxuries? I couldn't have, when I was a boy at Eton.—Look here, let me——"
Savile turned round and looked Wilton straight in the face.
"No, thanks," he said deliberately, shaking his head. Bertie's colour rose.
"But, my dear boy, why on earth not?"
"Oh, I expect you know," said Savile. Then feeling a little remorseful for the rebuff, he added: "Don't you bother about that. Besides, Aunt William gave me a couple of quid the other day to buy a ring for the girl I'm engaged to. I shan't buy it just yet. That's all."
Bertie concealed his amusement.
"Then you'll have to keep the poor girl waiting," he said.