me Livy. John was sensible
that his companions treated him not only as an equal--a new and
agreeable experience--but as a friend. In the course of the first ten
minutes Scaife said to the Caterpillar--

"He told Dick to his face that he would lie to save a pal."

And the Caterpillar replied seriously, "Good kid, very good kid. Lovell
says he's going to give a tea in his honour."

"No, he isn't. It's my turn."

Accordingly, upon the next half-holiday, Scaife gave a tea at the
Creameries. Of all the strange things that had happened during the past
fortnight, this to our simple John seemed the strangest. He was not
conscious of having done or said anything to justify the esteem and
consideration in which Scaife, the Caterpillar, and Lovell seemed to
hold him.

"You've forgotten Desmond," he said to Scaife, when the latter mentioned
the names of his guests.

"Caesar isn't coming. By the way, Verney, you've not been talking to
Caesar about the row in our house?"

"No," said John. "Lawrence came round and said that I must keep my mouth
shut."

"And naturally you did what you were told to do?"

The half-mocking tone disappeared in a burst of laughter as John
answered--

"Yes, of course."

"And I suppose it never entered your head that Lawrence would not have
been so particular about shutting your mouth without good reason."

"Perhaps," said John, after a pause, "Lawrence was in a funk lest,
lest----"

"Go on!"

"Lest the thing should be exaggerated."

"Exactly. Lots of fellows would go about saying that I was dead
drunk--eh?"

"They might."

"And that would be coming dangerously near the truth."

"Oh, Scaife! Then you really _were_----"

Scaife laughed again. "Yes, I really was, my Moses in the bulrushes!
Don't look so miserable. I guessed all along that you weren't _quite_ in
the know. Well, I'm every bit as grateful. You stood up to Dick like a
hero. And my tea is in your honour."

"Oh, Scaife--you--you won't do it again?"

"Get screwed?" said Scaife, gravely. "I shall not. It isn't good enough.
We've chucked the stuff away."

"If they'd found it----"

"Ah--if! The old Caterpillar attended to that. He's a downy bird, I can
tell you. When Dick came into our room, he slipped back to Lovell's
room, carried off the whisky, hid it, washed the glasses, and then
dirtied them with siphon and syrup. The Caterpillar and you showed great
head. We shall drink your healths to-morrow--in tea and chocolate.