“Yes. I should have communicated with you. I have engaged Mr. Brooks to be my traveling companion.”
“Mr. Brooks!” said the professor scornfully. “Are you aware that this boy is under my guardianship?”
“No, I am not.”
“It is true, and he has no right to make any engagement without my permission.”
“Excuse me, but is this the boy of sixteen to whom you referred in your conversation with me the other day?”
“He is.”
“You said that you had been engaged as his traveling companion. You said nothing about being his guardian.”
“I didn’t go into particulars,” replied the professor, who began to see that there would be something to explain.
“You said, however, that he had left you, and had left England with some friends of the family.”
“Ahem! I was mistaken. I have been requested to resume the charge of him.”