ink and talk about
afterwards. It was necessary to have a very early and hurried dinner,
the lecture beginning at seven, so Mr Rabbits went back to the vicarage
after it was over, to supper, after which there was a chat about the old
college boat and so forth, and it was rather late when he started for
home. He had refused the offer of a conveyance, considering that the
five miles walk on a bright still frosty night would be a luxury, and so
he found it, though for the latter part of his journey the moon was
obscured. It was not so dark, however, as to prevent his distinguishing
objects, and as he passed along the lane by which he entered Weston he
was sure he saw someone lurking under the wall at the back of Dr
Jolliffe's house. Suspecting there was something wrong, he got into the
shade under the hedge and crept noiselessly along, taking out of his
pocket a piece of magnesium wire which he had made use of in his
lecture, and a match-box. Presently he saw the figure raise itself from
the ground towards a window, and immediately struck a match and ignited
the wire, which he held over his head. The whole side of the house was
at once as bright as day, and a boy was distinctly seen getting in at
the window.

"Buller!" exclaimed Mr Rabbits, "what are you doing there?"

"Please, sir, I am getting in," said poor Buller.

"So I perceive," said Mr Rabbits; "but what right have you there?"

"It's my own room, please, sir."

"Well, but what right then had you out of it at this time of night?"

"None at all, sir, I am afraid."

"Then why did you do it?"

"I hoped not to be seen, sir."

"Hum! What have you been doing?"

"Skating, sir."

"I shall report you in the morning."

Poor Tom Buller! How crest-fallen he felt as he conscientiously
replaced the bar, and screwed it down again. How heavy his heart was as
he took his clothes off and got into bed? What a fool he had been, he
thought, and yet at the same time how awfully unlucky. Wrecked at the
moment of entering the port! However, it was done now, and could not be
helped; he must stand the racket. He supposed he should get off with a
flogging. Surely they would not expel him for such a thing as that. Of
course they would make an awful row about his breaking out at night, but
he had not done any harm when he _was_ out. And the doctor was a good-
natured chap, he certainly would let him off with a rowing and a
flogging. He had never been flogged; did