He was to be here at seven, and it's now half-past; I never knew him late before." "Very likely he's had some unexpected customers to detain him," I said.
"Not likely.

Billy wouldn't be late for an appointment here if the Prince of Wales himself came to get his boots blacked." "What can have become of him, then ?" I said.
"I wish I knew.

I am afraid he's got into trouble." We waited another half-hour, and no Billy appeared.

Smith looked more and more anxious.
"I think," said he, "we'd better go and look for him, Fred; what do you say ?" "I'll come, certainly," said I; "but where do you expect to find him ?" "If there is no sign of him in Style Street, I expect he'll be in the court where his mother lives." I had a lively recollection of my last visit to that aristocratic thoroughfare.

But I did not wish to seem unwilling to accompany Jack in his quest.