“Hang it all,” exclaimed one of the shadowy company in the background, “we are a lot of brutes not to have offered to help the young lady. Madam,” he said,—was not that the way to address a strange lady?—“won’t you let me go with you to find your friends?”
Nancy put her handkerchief to her mouth to conceal the smile that would curve her charming lips.
“It would be very kind of you,” she replied with a gesture of helplessness that drew first one and then another of the bashful youths to the center of the room.
“It’s my place to help the young lady, Bulger,” said the boy who had first spoken.
“And why? You didn’t offer to.”
“But she is my guest. I am sure she expects me to find her friends.”
“Stuff and nonsense!” exclaimed the other, half angrily.
Nancy again put her handkerchief to her face. It was impossible to keep from smiling.
“I’ll show the young lady the way,” here put in a voice much deeper than the others. “I’ve met Peppercorn. He belongs to Magdalen College.”
“Yes!” exclaimed Nancy with some excitement.