"That's precisely what I do mean, only I shouldn't have dared to say so," Mr. Johns replied emphatically.
"Oh, the boys have got far more sense than you give them credit for. Good gracious, what's that bell?"
Mr. Johns hastily dragged his watch from his pocket.
"Do you know it's a quarter past two and I'm due to play for the town on their ground at three."
"And luncheon will all be gone, and I'm so hungry," Lallie wailed. "You see it was nearly half-past one when I came in, and then Miss Foster was so disagreeable and drove us both out of the house, and we walked and walked; and now what'll we do?"
"I, at any rate, must fly and change. If I take a pony trap down to the ground I'll just do it."
"And you've had no lunch! Oh, I am so distressed!"
"That doesn't matter in the least, I'll snatch a biscuit and a bit of chocolate. When I'm in training I often do without lunch."
"Run then, Mr. Johns; never mind me. If you sprint a bit you'll be at B. House in five minutes."
"Will you not think me very rude?"