His random remark had hit the target plumb in the centre of the bull's-eye, and could he have known the agitation and irritation in the mind of his aunt he would have written off as paid his debt against the Wallibooboo Islanders.
The river was impossible now, and the whole thing had shrunk to luncheon at the studio and a visit to Madame Tussaud's or the Tower.
He reached the studio before twelve, and there he found waiting for him Mr Verneede and the Captain.
The Captain was in his trousers; he had come to show them as a proof of good faith and incidentally to get a glass of whisky. Leavesley gave him the whisky and sent him off, then he turned to Verneede.
"The whole thing has bust up. Miss Lambert is coming at one to go up the river and I have no money. Stoney broke; isn't it the deuce?"
"How very unfortunate!" said Mr Verneede. "How very unfortunate!"
"Unfortunate isn't the name for it."
"Did Miss Lambert write?"
"Yes—Oh, she told me to remember her to you, sent her love to you."