"Do you suppose the master has nothing to do but run out and see--wild Indians ?" Here followed another laugh at my expense.

"He'll see you quite soon enough." Here a shove from behind precipitated me into the bosom of the speaker, who returned me with thanks, and before I could apologise, into the hands of the sender.

Thence I found myself passed on by a side impetus to a knot of juveniles, who, not requiring my presence, passed me on to a senior standing by, who shot me back to a friend, who sent me forward among the boxes into the arms of the matron, who indignantly hustled me up the passage, where finally I pulled up short in the grasp of a gentleman who at that moment emerged from the green baize door.
In the confusion I had lost both my hat and my presence of mind.

I was far too confused to observe who the new-comer was, and far too indignant to care.

All that I called to my mind as I reeled into his clutches was Tempest's directions about kicking back, which accordingly I proceeded to do, with all the vigour of which my new tan boots were capable.
Mr Sharpe suffered this assault meekly for a second or two, then he held me out stiffly at arm's length, like a puppy in a fit, and demanded,-- "What do you mean, sir, by behaving like this ?" I was bound to admit that it was a natural inquiry from a person whose shins had been considerably barked by my new boots.