And Chips eventually discovered it among the Greek and Latin litter on the floor.
“What a chap you are!” he cried. “I’m going to keep this for you until one or other of us leaves, Tiger. You’re—I won’t say you’re not fit to be in the Eleven—nobody was ever more so—but I’m blowed if you deserve to own a precious document like this!”
Yet there was another missive, and souvenir of his success, which Jan had already under lock and key, except when he took it out to read once more. Chips never saw or heard of this one; but he would have recognised the fluent writing at a glance, and Jan knew what sort of glance it would have been.
This was the little note, word for word:—
“The Lodge,
”June 1st.
“Dear old Jan,
“I can never tell you how I rejoice at your tremendous success. Heaps of congratulations! I’m proud of you, so will they all be at home.
“School is awful for dividing old friends unless you’re in the same house or form. You know that’s all it is or ever was! Will you forgive me and come for a walk after second chapel on Sunday? Always your old friend,
“Evan.”