l do for
me. Mother livin'? 'Ow's yer father? Still in the grocery business?"

Graves burst into an assurance that they were quite well, then added
that his mother was dead.

"Poor ole Poll," murmured Bindle, looking anything but doleful, and
hiding a grin in the huge tankard that he raised to his lips. "She was
a rare ole sport. Never met yer father. Quaint ole bird, ain't 'e?"

Mr. Graves was thankful when the conversation took a less domestic
turn. That afternoon he felt that the eyes of all Oxford were upon
him, and deep down in his soul he cursed St. Joseph, the college, and
every man therein.

Worse was in store for Graves. When he returned to his rooms a message
was brought by his "scout" that the Master would like to see him. In
an agony of apprehension he made his way to the Master's study. He was
relieved at the cordiality of his reception.

"I understand that your uncle has arrived, Graves? I shall be very
pleased to make his acquaintance. Perhaps you will bring him to
luncheon to-morrow."

Even Reginald Graves's self-repression could not disguise his agony of
mind. He saw the luncheon-table, Dr. Peter playing the conventionally
cordial host, and Mrs. Peter, with her frigid mid-Victorian austerity,
endeavouring to pose as a great lady.

Was fate conspiring against him? There was the supper that evening at
Bungem's, which he knew would be a torture, and the martyrdom of the
morrow. Human flesh was too frail to withstand it!

He found himself again saying that he should be delighted; at least, he
assumed that was what he said. Dr. Peter seemed satisfied. Just as he
was taking his leave he remarked:

"Were you responsible for this ill-conceived demonstration to-day at
the station?"

"No, sir, most certainly not," replied Graves, in a voice that carried
conviction.

"Very deplorable, most deplorable. It will probably give Mr. Williams
a very bad impression of English culture. I shall look into the
matter, and find out who was guilty of this most unseemly exhibition.
I am glad to hear that you are not in any way implicated, Graves. Most
deplorable, most."

With a murmur of thanks Graves left the Master's study, praying that
Dr. Peter might visit his wrath upon those responsible for what had
caused him so much anguish and suffering.

III

Oxford without Bungem's would not be Oxford. "St. Bungem the
Hospitable" was known throughout the Empire. His fame reached from
east to