She did not bring him back till half past twelve, only to learn that Sir Maurice was very busy writing letters in his bedroom.

Captain Baster hoped for an invitation to lunch (he hinted as much) but he was disappointed.

In the end he returned to The Plough, chafing furiously; he felt that his morning had been barren.
He was soon back at Colet House, but too late; Sir Maurice had started on a walk with the Terror.

Captain Baster said cheerily that he would overtake them, and set out briskly to do so.

He walked hard enough to compass that end; and it is probable that he would have had a much better chance of succeeding, had not Erebus sent him eastward whereas Sir Maurice and the Terror had gone westward.
Captain Baster returned to Colet House in time for tea; and his heart swelled big within him to learn that Mrs.Dangerfield had invited some friends to meet him and her brother.