As for Jack, the two had scarcely met since they left Stonebridge House.
"Hullo, Batchelor," he cried, as we approached, "that you?
I heard you'd been ill, and--why, Smith," he broke out, catching sight of my companion, "how are you?
Haven't seen you for ages! And the rum thing is I was speaking about you this very moment--wasn't I, kid ?" "Yaas," said Billy, with a grin.
"You know, Batchelor, you once introduced me to this young gentleman when we were rolling home one night after a spree--fearfully slow parties some of those!--and I've given him a job pretty often since--and he was just telling me about you.

Lodging Drury Lane way, I hear ?" "Yes," said I.

There was something so genuine in the tone of my old schoolfellow that I could almost forgive him his grand clothes.
"I say, couldn't you come along to my rooms to-night?
I'm all by myself.

Jolly to talk over old days.

Come on, Smith." "Thanks," said Smith, who, I could see, felt half shy of this old comrade, "but I have to work for an exam., and it's coming off now in a week or two." "Well, Batchelor, you come," said Flanagan.
I hesitated a moment, and then consented.