"'Nary peep, unless I talked in my sleep. When I found out that you'd drained my flask of everything but the smell, I went to Doc after a new supply, and when he asked me what had become of it I told him you'd taken to drink, but that was all. Now, I'll ask you a few questions. Why doesn't Miss Manning want me to come over?"
"Why, I don't know," replied Forsyth, wonderingly; "doesn't she?"
"Doesn't look like it," grumbled the other. "Didn't you see her gallop into the house the minute I opened the gate?"
"I didn't notice."
"You would, if she'd done it to you." Ronald was plainly in a bad humour. "What's more, if I speak to her, she never answers me decently. A girl never treated me like that before," he fumed; "just wait till I get my new uniform!"
"When is it coming?" asked Forsyth, glad of the chance to change the subject.
"Dunno—the boys are going to start early in the morning, but there's no telling when they'll get back."
"Are you going?"
"Indeed, and I am not. How can I go when there's no horse for me?"