“What shall I read, Charley?”
“It may be for the last time, sir. I’d like to hear the service for the burial of the dead.”
So I read it every word, the long lesson, and all. Nanny came in before it was finished, medicine in hand, and sat down in silence with her bonnet on. She had been kept at the doctor’s. Mrs. Cann was the next to make her appearance, having been abroad on some business of her own: and I got away when it was close upon midnight.
“Your name and college, sir.”
“Ludlow. Christchurch.”
It was the proctor. He had pounced full upon me as I was racing home. And the clocks were striking twelve!
“Ludlow—Christchurch,” he repeated, nodding his head.
“I am sorry to be out so late, sir, against rules, but I could not help it. I have been sitting with a sick man.”
“Very good,” said he blandly; “you can tell that to-morrow to the dean. Home to your quarters now, if you please, Mr. Ludlow.”
And I knew he believed me just as much as he would had I told him I’d been up in a balloon.