“That’s what I came to ask you,” said Pledge, with an amiable smile.
“Goodness knows! I was as much surprised as you. You know, between you and me, I don’t think you did Forbes much good last term.”
“Quite a mistake. I befriended him when everybody else was cutting him. He told me when he left I was the only friend he had here.”
“A good friend?” asked Pontifex, looking hard at his man.
“Really, Ponty, you don’t improve in your manners,” said Pledge, with a slightly embarrassed laugh.
“No offence, old man,” said the captain. “But, seriously, don’t you think you might do a little more good, or even a little less well, harm, you know, in Templeton than you do?”
“Most noble captain, we must see what can be done,” said Pledge, colouring a trifle, as he left the room.
“I’ve lost my pull on him, I suppose,” said the captain, taking up his “Pickwick.”
“By Jove! I wish I could make up my mind to kick him!”