"Let us not rake up the past, my dear Mainwaring," said Mr. Welwyn. "More years than we care to count--eh? We'll leave it at that. But I am delighted to meet you again. I wonder how the old College prospers. Foster was your tutor, was n't he?"
"Yes," replied Mr. Mainwaring, pleasantly flattered to find that a man who had been two years senior to him should remember so much about him.
"Mine, too," mentioned Mr. Welwyn, as if determined to put his guest at his ease.
"He's a bishop now, I hear," said Mr. Mainwaring.
"Eheu, fugaces!" sighed Mr. Welwyn. "Come and sit by the fire."
"I think we had better have tea, Tilly," said Mrs. Welwyn, as per programme.
The Welwyn family, recognising a cue, began to bestir themselves for Tableau Number Two.
"I seem to hear it coming up, Mother," replied Tilly.
She was right. Portentous rattlings and puffings were now audible without. Next moment the doors were bumped open and Mr. Stillbottle appeared, carrying the tea-pot on a tray.
Apparently something was on his mind. His appearance was that of a righteous man deeply wronged. His was the demeanour of a British artisan compelled by forces which he cannot control to perform a task not included in his contract.