I managed to escape from him and to stand up. Hubert, however, did not say anything, but began to brush my coat with his hand.
"Who is Ally Sloper?" I asked, for I began to think that the Professor, who was looking ashamed of himself, was a lunatic.
"He's Mr. King, the man who helps me at Oxford, he dresses rather funnily," Hubert explained.
"He bothers me when I am not well," the Professor added, but he did not seem certain what line to take and kept his back turned to both of us.
"If you would only be well, he wouldn't bother you," Hubert said at once.
"I am better than I used to be. You know how the weather upsets me, I haven't had an afternoon off for six weeks. Ask Emily," and when he turned round the tears were once more rolling down his cheeks, and I was desperately afraid that I was in for a regular scene.
"You are nearly all right now," I said, "and I must be going if Hubert will walk a little way with me."
He took my hand again and held it. "You will not think very badly of an old man who has served his country," he said.
"No, but I do think you ought to be——" and then I stopped.
"What?"