Allan was saved from the necessity of replying by the reappearance of Duncan, to say that 'The young gentlemen wass to please mek haste and come at once, as effery one wass waiting for them.'
During the walk from the bathing-place Allan was very silent, and all tea-time he watched Reggie and Harry thoughtfully, and was evidently revolving something in his mind.
After tea he took an opportunity of saying to Marjorie, 'Now, Marjorie, remember that we've got to make the Kelpie late.'
'I'll try to get lost,' said Marjorie. 'I hope they won't go off without me though. You'd better lose yourself too, with one or two of the others; and they'll notice if so many are absent.'
'I'll do my best,' said Allan. 'I think we'll manage to keep them back an hour or so. You might come this way, Reggie, will you?'
Allan walked for some distance in silence, and Reggie began to wonder what was coming.
'Reggie,' began Allan, rather absently, 'have you been thinking that you're going to school next term?'
'Yes,' answered Reggie, wondering what this was going to lead to.
'Well,' resumed Allan, 'you'll need to have some fights, you know, almost as soon as you get there.'
'I suppose so,' said Reggie.