"I am very tired, and not at all in company trim; in fact, I had just declined a similar invitation from Sir John; but—"
"You will, then? I am very glad. We will not keep you late."
"I must first go and give a coin to the boy who showed me the way here—a little gipsy fellow who said he knew you."
"Pepito! Let me deal with him, Mr. Vaughan; he has an extraordinary knack of turning up just when he can make himself useful. You'll find a towel there; I'll go and settle with Pepito, and you will follow me, won't you? Our fellows will be delighted to meet you."
And Jack left his visitor to his ablutions.
There was much curiosity among the subalterns as to the identity of Jack's visitor and the subject of their private interview; but Jack volunteered no information, merely telling them, as he passed through the room on his way to find Pepito, that Mr. Vaughan would join them at supper.
"So you boys will have to mind your p's and q's," said Captain O'Hare. "No antics now. Some of these politicals are very starchy."
Consequently it was a quiet group to whom, in a few minutes, Mr. Vaughan was introduced. They were all hungry, and Jack apologized for the plainness of the fare.
"You see, sir," he said, "Sataro, our Portuguese contractor, has failed, and we all have to get what food we can."
"You won't find me fastidious," replied Vaughan. "I could almost eat my boots, I think."