“All serene,” said the captain; “he’ll pull through well, then.”
I stayed till it was time for Redwood to go over to the school for a committee of the Sports Club. I did not leave Number 3 without a standing invitation to come in whenever I liked, or without painful apologies for the contumacy of Mamie.
Redwood and I had just reached the bridge when some one confronted us whom I recognised at once as Mr Jarman.
“Ah, Redwood, you’ve a meeting on. Who’s this boy? Ah, I remember—Jones iv. What did I say to you yesterday, Jones?”
“Jones has been to tea at my house,” said the captain, with a flush, and looking less amiable than I had yet seen him.
“It’s after hours,” said Mr Jarman, coolly. “I cautioned him yesterday. A hundred lines, Jones iv., by to-morrow evening.”
“It’s not his fault,” said Redwood; “I gave him leave, sir.”
“We need not discuss this, Redwood,” said Mr Jarman, and walked away.
I felt quite sufficiently avenged when I saw the captain’s face. He strode on some distance in silence, and then said,—
“I’m sorry, youngster. It can’t be helped, though. Jarman’s strictly in the right, though it’s sharp practice. You’d better cut in now. Good night.”