He was away rather a long time. After twenty minutes' absence he returned rather moodily.
"Hullo, at last; you've been the hell of a long time," said Hunter. "What did he want?"
"Oh, nothing; only something about my boxing subscription."
"Well, he took long enough about it, I must say. Was that all?"
"Of course. Cake, please, Fitzroy!"
The subject was dropped.
But just before chapel Jeffries ran into Gordon in the cloister.
"Look here, Caruthers, what did Meredith really want you for? I swear I won't tell anyone."
"Oh, well, I don't mind you knowing.... You know what Meredith is, well—I mean—oh, you know, the usual stuff. He wanted me to meet him out for a walk to-morrow. I told him in polite language to go to the 'devil.'"
"Good Lord, did you really? But why? If Meredith gets fed up with you he could give you the hell of a time."