‘I should imagine that he might be here tomorrow, sir.

I rather thought he might have been here today, sir. The mistake is mine, no doubt, sir.’

‘If you should see him first — ’ said I.

‘If you’ll excuse me, sir, I don’t think I shall see him first.’

‘In case you do,’ said I, ‘pray say that I am sorry he was not here today, as an old schoolfellow of his was here.’

‘Indeed, sir!’ and he divided a bow between me and Traddles, with a glance at the latter.

He was moving softly to the door, when, in a forlorn hope of saying something naturally — which I never could, to this man — I said: