Mr. Fletcher carried on the examination.
"How dare you tell me you've been to tea! Where have you boys been?"
"We have been out to tea," said Bailey.
"And where, sir, have you been having tea, that you come back at this hour, and in such a plight as that?"
"Washington Villa," answered Bailey.
"Washington Villa! And where's Washington Villa? But never mind that, I shall have something to say to you in the morning. Where are those other boys? Where are Griffin and Ellis?"
"They're coming," muttered Bailey.
Just then they came. While Mr. Fletcher hesitated, in doubt what to do or say, a voice, unmistakably Ellis', was heard without.
"Is that you, Bailey? Won't I pay you out for this, you cad! We might have got drowned for all you cared. Here's Griffin got half-drowned as it is."
Thrusting her head out of the window, Mrs. Fletcher replied to the wanderer; a reply, doubtless, as unexpected as undesired.