"No; I've overworked myself," said Fenton coolly, "I need pulling up a bit."
"Go and see a doctor--try tonics."
"Ah, bah! glass of champagne will fix me straight. Here, waiter, bring in a bottle of Heidsieck. Any of you boys join?"
All the boys assenting to the hospitable proposition, Fenton ordered two bottles, and lighted a huge cigar. When the waiter came back with the wine, Keith also entered, with a soft look on his face which puzzled Rolleston. He had put on his overcoat.
"Ah!" said that astute gentleman, "you look pleased--your letter was pleasant?"
"Yes, very," replied Keith laconically.
"Then it was from a woman," said Fenton.
"Humph! that's generally anything but pleasant," grunted Slingsby.
"No doubt, to such a Don Juan as you," said Pelk, amid a general laugh.
The waiter was opening the wine so slowly that Fenton lost patience, and snatched one bottle up from the table.