Immediately after came a rap at the door, and in walked Wildney, as he often did after the rest were gone to bed, merely slipping his trousers over his nightshirt, and running up to the studies.
"Well, you'll come to the Anti-muffs, won't you?" he said.
"To that pestilential place again?--not I."
Wildney looked offended. "Not after we've all asked you? The fellows won't half like your refusing."
He had touched Eric's weak point.
"Do come," he said, looking up in Eric's face.
"Confound it all," answered Eric, hastily. "Yes, I've no friends, I'll come, Charlie. Anything to please you, boy."
"That's a brick. Then I shall cut down and tell the fellows. They'll be no end glad. No friends! why all the school like you." And he scampered off, leaving Eric ill at ease.
Duncan didn't re-enter the study that evening.
The next day, about half-past four, Eric found himself on the way to Ellan. As he was starting, Bull caught him up, and said--