“He believed the charge to be false, and that it was a conspiracy against me.”

Randolph did not know what to think. He had predicted that Gilbert would never get back; and it is not pleasant to be mistaken in one’s predictions.

“Do you board at the same place?” he asked, after a while.

“Yes.”

“Don’t you find it hard to pay your board?”

Gilbert smiled. The question was an impertinent one; but he felt amused rather than offended.

“I have paid regularly so far,” he said.

“How did you do when you were out of a place?”

“I lived on my salary as teacher.”

Randolph opened wide his eyes in astonishment.