It was the wind-up supper of the "Select Sociables" for the present term, and to Heathcote one of the chief attractions of the prospect had been that Dick, being a member, would be there too.

He was, therefore, startled somewhat at the inquiry.
"Oh, you know.

We don't talk about it," said he.
"So it seems," said Dick; "but it happens I don't know." "Don't you?
Then the fellows must have told me a cram." "What fellows ?" "Why, do you mean to say you don't know, Dick ?" "How should I ?" "Haven't they asked you, too?
Aren't you a-- I mean, don't you know ?" At this particular moment, Cresswell came across the Quadrangle with a bundle of books in his hands, which he told Dick to take to his study.
And before Dick had time to perform his task and return to the Quad, Braider had pounced on Heathcote, and borne him away, in hot haste, to the orgy of the "Select Sociables," where he spent a very unprofitable evening in trying to square his conscience with all he saw and heard, and in trying to ascertain from every member of the Club he could get hold of, why Dick wasn't there, too.

He was not released without a renewal of his promise of secrecy, and spent a very uncomfortable half- hour in the dormitory that evening, trying, as best he could, to parry the questions of his friend, into whose head it had never entered that the "Select Sociables," after ejecting him, should dream of such a thing as electing Heathcote.

They might have quarrelled over the mystery, had not the approaching holidays, and an opportune note from Coote, announcing that he had just scraped through the pass examination for "second chances," and would be at Templeton after the recess, driven all other thoughts, for the time being, out of their heads.