Charlie fell upon Fisher with merciless promptitude.
"You base defaulter!" he cried. "I'll see you march in front next time. I was never more scandalised in my life than when I realised that you and Molly had done a slope."
Fisher shrugged the shoulder nearest to him and offered no explanation of his and Molly's defection.
Charlie kept up a running fire of chaff for some time, to which Fisher, as was his wont, showed himself to be perfectly indifferent. Lunch over, Molly disappeared. Charlie saw her go and turned instantly to Fisher.
"Come and have a single on the asphalt court!" he said. "I haven't tried it yet. I want to."
Fisher was reluctant, but yielded to persuasion.
They went off together, Charlie with an affectionate arm round his friend's shoulders.
"I am to congratulate, I suppose?" he asked, as they crossed the garden to the tennis-court.
Fisher looked at him gravely, a hint of suspicion in his eyes.
"You may, if it gives you any pleasure to do so, my boy," he said.