When one is puzzled and out of spirits, it is no consolation to hear other people laughing over a private joke; moreover, Bill felt that if they were still on the subject of the murdered man and his ghost, their merriment was very unsuitable.
Whatever was going on, it was quite evident that Mr.Bartram was the leading spirit of it, for Bill could see Master Arthur waving the one legged donkey in an ecstasy, as he clapped his friend on the back till the eye-glass danced upon his nose.

At last Mr.Bartram threw himself back as if closing a discussion, and said loud enough for Bill to hear-- "You never heard of a bully who wasn't a coward." Bill thought of Bully Tom, and how he had said he dared not risk the chance of meeting with a ghost, and began to think that this was a clever young gentleman, after all.

Just then Master Arthur called to him; and he took the bit of broken geranium and went.
"Oh, Willie!" said Master Arthur, "we've been talking over your misfortunes--geranium?
fiddle-sticks! put it in your button-hole--your misfortunes, I say, and for to-night at any rate we intend to help you out of them.

John--ahem!--will be--ahem!--engaged to-night, and unable to take his class as usual; but this gentleman has kindly consented to fill his place ("Hear, hear," said the gentleman alluded to), and if you'll come to-night, like a good lad, he and I will walk back with you; so if you do see the ghost, it will be in good company.

But, mind, this is on one condition.