"We cannot think whom he means by 'colonel'," added the poor lady despairingly.
"That's just what I've come about, Mrs. Treves; they used to call my young brother that at Easter."
"You are sure, Mr. Lloyd?"
"Quite. I heard them myself more than once. I'll trot round and see the Mater, and we will wire for him if it will do any good."
That afternoon Dick received a telegram which sent him off full speed to his housemaster for the necessary permission to go home.
"Is Mater ill?" he asked breathlessly, as he bundled out of the train on to Ted, who bore the onrush heroically.
"No, she's quite well, only Treves's kids are ill."
"Well?" queried Dick rather indignantly, as he thought of the cricket-match on the morrow, in which he had hoped to take part.
"Well, you see, Dick, they're seriously ill, and they can't make the little 'un take his physic."
"Well, I can't take it for him, can I? queried Dick, as they started home.