e far more comfortable up in town."

"Yes, and _you're_ a nice boy to show a fellow about town," said
Blandford, laughing, "Wilderham's all very well, you know, Cruden,"
continued he, "but it's a grind being cooped up there when you've got
your chance of a fling."

"Well, you've not wasted your chances, my boy," said Mr Pillans, who,
besides being empty-headed, was unhealthy in complexion, and red about
the eyes.

Blandford appeared rather flattered than otherwise by this observation,
and told Mr Pillans to shut up and not tell tales out of school.

"I suppose Wilderham hasn't changed much since last term?" asked
Reginald wistfully.

"Oh no; plenty of fellows left and new ones come--rather a better lot,
take them all round, than we had last term."

"Has the football club been doing well again?" asked the old boy.

"Oh, middling. By the way, the fellows growled rather when you only
sent them half-a-sov. instead of a sov."

Reginald coloured up. Little his comrade knew what that half-sovereign
had cost him!

He relapsed into silence, and had to derive what compensation he could
from the fast talk in which the other three engaged, apparently heedless
of his presence.

In due time the meal ended, and Blandford called for the bills.

Until that moment Reginald had never imagined for a moment but that he
had been dining as his old schoolfellow's guest. He had understood
Blandford's request of his company as an invitation, and as an
invitation he had accepted it, and as an invitation he had repented of
it. What, then, was his embarrassment to find a bill for six shillings
and sixpence laid down before him as his share of the entertainment!

For a moment a flush of relief passed across his face. He was glad not
to find himself under obligations to Blandford after all. But in
another moment relief was changed to horror as he remembered that three
shillings was all the money he had about him. Oh, the humiliation, the
anguish of this discovery! He would have had anything happen rather
than this.

He sat staring at the bill like a being petrified.

"Come along," said Blandford, "let's go to the smoking-room. I suppose
you fellows will have coffee there. Coffee for four, waiter. Are you
ready?"

But Reginald did not move, nor did the waiter.

"What's the row?" said Blandford to the latter.

The waiter pointed to Reginald's bill.

"Oh, he's waiting for your bill, Cruden. Look sharp, old man!"

The