term funds had run low, and extras were at a premium. A busy hour had
been spent during the forenoon in both houses collecting outstanding
debts, contracting loans at the point of the sword, and laying out the
contents of the common purse at the shop in delicacies suitable to the
occasion. Abernethys and ham, of course, figured prominently. The cake
and jam was rather a "scratch lot," as they mostly consisted of
"outsides" and "pot-ends" collected from various sources and amalgamated
into one stock. But, to compensate for this, Wally had managed to get
round the matron, and by representing to her the delicate nature of the
entertainment, wheedled her out of a pot of "extra special" tea, and a
small jug of cream. For the rest, there were the relics of the "Cock-
House" commissariat, a cocoa-nut, generously contributed by Fisher
major, and the usual allowance of bread and butter.

The principal delicacy of the feast, however, was contributed by a fair
lady, and to Percy belonged the honour and glory of its acquisition.

On his way from Hall he had run flop into the arms of Mrs Stratton, who
was carrying in her hands a small basket of hothouse grapes.

"I'm awfully sorry, I say, Mrs Stratton," said the culprit, as the
basket and its contents fell to the ground. "So am I," said Mrs
Stratton. "There's two bunches out of three not bashed," said Percy, on
his knees picking up the ruin. "I say, Mrs Stratton, if you'd let me
pay for the other I can give you twopence a week, beginning next week.
I'd rather, you know."

Mrs Stratton laughed pleasantly. It was always a satisfaction, she
told her husband, to come into collision with a junior. He always got
the best of it.

"No, thank you, Wheatfield. But I tell you what you must do."

"All serene, Mrs Stratton," said Percy submissively, preparing himself
for a hundred lines at least.

"One of the bunches is damaged. You must take it and get your friends
to help you eat it. Good-bye."

On the whole, therefore, the spread provided for Mr Rollitt was a
respectable one, and not likely to do discredit to his entertainers.

He was installed in the place of honour in the fender, Wally occupying
the seat in the passage, the others ranging themselves on either side of
the board. They watched their guest's eye somewhat anxiously, to detect
in it any signs of predilection for any particular dish. But he, poor
man, was too bewildered by the novel experience he was under