"Dunno so much about that, but the governor, he says he's dead on the job this time, he says, and if you don't show up sharp with the stumpy, he says he'll give you a call himself and wake you up, he says--" "Tell him I'll come, and go off quick," said Loman, hurriedly. "Beg pardon, mister," said the potboy, with a leer, and touching his cap, "anything allowed for this here little job--carrying up the letter?" "I'll allow you a kick if you don't go!" exclaimed the wretched Loman, furiously. "Oh, very good," said the boy, making a long nose. "Wait till the governor walks up. We'll see who'll kick then!" And so saying the amiable and respectable youth departed. "Hullo!" said Wren, coming up just at this moment, "who's your friend, Loman? He looks a nice sort of boy!" Wren was now captain and head monitor at Saint Dominic's--far too blunt and honest ever to be an object of anything but dislike and uneasiness to Loman. Now the uneasiness was the more prominent of the two. Loman replied, confused and reddening, "Oh, that boy? Why--oh, he's a shop-boy from the town, come up about an order--you know--for a hat-box." "I don't know. Do you mean Morris's boy?" "Ye--yes. A new boy of Morris's." "Well, whoever he is, he's a precious cheeky specimen. Why didn't you kick him?" "Eh? Kick him? Yes, I was just going to," began Loman, scarcely knowing what he said, "when--" "When I turned up? Well, I shouldn't have interfered. By the way, Loman, I suppose you've given up going to that public now? What's the fellow's name?" "Cripps," said Loman. "Oh, I never go near the place now." "That's a good job. It was awkward enough his turning up as he did last term, and all a chance the Doctor didn't hear of it, I can tell you. Anyhow, now I'm captain, that sort of thing will have to drop, mind." "Oh, I assure you I've never been near the place since," said Loman, meekly, anxious if possible to keep the new captain in humour, much as he disliked him. "I'm glad of it," said Wren, coldly. Just at that moment a third personage arrived on the scene. This was Simon, who approached, not noticing Wren, and crying out with his usual gush, "Hullo, Loman, I say. I saw Cripps to-day. He was asking after you. He says you've not been down since last Sat--Hullo, Wren!" And here the poet caught sight of the captain. "So _you've_ been down to the Cockchafer, have you?" inquired Wren. "Well. Oh, don't tell, Wren, I say. I don't often go. Ask Loman if I do. He's always there, and could easily tell if I went. Do I go often, Loman? Besides, I've given it up now!" "Quick work," observed Wren, drily, "if you were down there this morning."