But the excitement of the previous night and the short rest he had had interfered with his powers of thought, and the greenhouse was soon left for the laboratory, and that place for the rectory, toward which Vane moved with a peculiarly guilty feeling.
He wished now that the doctor had given him leave to speak out, for then he felt that he could have gone more comfortably to the study, instead of taking his seat imagining that the rector suspected him, or that he had been told that his pupil had been seen going into the church-tower with Chakes, and afterwards alone.
“He can’t help knowing,” Vane said to himself, as he neared the grounds; “and I shall have to confess after all.”
But he did not, for on reaching the rectory Joseph met him with the announcement that master was so unwell that he had decided not to get up.
“Then there will be no study this morning, Joseph?”
“No, sir, not a bit, and the young gents have gone off—rabbiting, I think.”
“Which way?”
“Sowner’s woods, sir. I think if you was to look sharp you’d ketch ’em up.”
Vane felt quite disposed to “look sharp,” and overtake the others, one reason being that he hoped to find Distin more disposed to become friendly again, for he argued it was so stupid for them, working together at the same table, to be separated and to carry on a kind of feud.
It was about a couple of miles to Sowner’s wood, and with the intention of taking all the short cuts, and getting there in less than half an hour, Vane hurried on, feeling the soft sweet breeze upon his cheeks and revelling in the joy of being young, well and hearty. The drowsy sensations he had felt at breakfast were rapidly passing off, and his spirits rose as he now hoped that there would be no trouble about his escapade with the clock, as he had done the right thing in explaining matters to the doctor.