“Yes I do, old chap. I fancy it was rather a funny thing to do, but, you see, I didn’t know who else to ask. Everyone was out and Mr. Pounder turned me down and I happened to run into Mr. Crump in School Hall. He was very decent about it. I offered to let him have my watch and fob for security but he said his grandfather or grandmother or someone fought with General Putnam, and wouldn’t take it. I didn’t quite see what that had to do with it, though, do you?”
“Old Crump!” marveled Bert. “I didn’t suppose he had nine dollars to his name!”
“Oh, yes. And he rather hinted that he had a lot more. I dare say janiting is quite—quite profitable.”
“And Cathcart loaned you five? I sort of wish you hadn’t gone to him, Hugh.”
“There wasn’t much choice,” replied Hugh drily. “I dare say if you’d been there you’d have managed better, but——”
“I didn’t mean that,” said Bert quickly. “I think you did finely, and I’m awfully much obliged, Hugh. I only meant that—well, Wal and I aren’t awfully good friends and—did you tell him what it was for?”
“No, there wasn’t time. I told him I’d explain later.”
“Well, don’t if you can help it. You see, he’s a proctor and if he heard I’d been running bills he might think he had to report me. He’s most frightfully conscientious nowadays.”
“I hadn’t thought of that,” said Hugh, “but I don’t believe he would. I’ll keep you out of it, though, if you’d rather.”