He was fagged, and not in the humour.

Awfully sorry to back out and all that, but he couldn't help it, and wanted to save up for the Sports and Boat Race on Friday and Saturday.
They gave him up as a bad job, and started without him.
He watched them go without much regret, and then, putting on his hat, walked off towards Paddington to meet Jeffreys, who was due in about an hour.
The quiet walk through the streets rather revived him; and the prospect of seeing Jeffreys again was still more refreshing.
Of course he knew he should have to tell him of his folly, and Jeff would "sit on him" in his solemn style.

Still, that was better than getting his head split open with cigars, and having to laugh at a lot of trashy jokes.
Jeffreys was delighted to see him; and the two were leaving Paddington arm-in-arm when Scarfe and his two friends, alighting from a cab, suddenly confronted them..