One of these was young Wyndham, whom Riddell had seen very little of since leaving the schoolhouse.
Wyndham's desire to go down into town had, as it happened, no connection at all with the election.

He was as much interested in that, of course, as the rest of Willoughby, but the reason he wanted to go to Shellport this afternoon was to see an old home chum of his, from whom he had just heard that he would be passing in the train through Shellport that afternoon.
Great, therefore, was his disappointment when Riddell told him that no permits were allowed that afternoon.
"What ?" exclaimed the boy.

"I've not seen Evans for a year, and he'll think it so awfully low, after writing to me, if I don't show up at the station." "I'm awfully sorry, Wyndham," said Riddell, who had heard so many wild pretexts for getting leave during the last two days that he even doubted how far Wyndham's might be true or not; "the doctor says no one is to go down, and I can't give any permits." "But I tell you all I want is to see Evans--there's no harm in that." "Of course not, and you should get the permit at once if any were allowed." "You could give me one if you chose." "But if I gave to one I should have to give to all." "I don't see that you need tell everybody," said Wyndham, nettled.
"I'm sorry it can't be done, Wyndham; I can't make any exceptions," said the captain, firmly.
"You could well enough if you chose," said Wyndham, sorely disappointed and aggrieved.

"The fact is, I don't know why, I believe you've got a spite against me of late." "You know I haven't, Wyndham," said Riddell, kindly.
Wyndham did know, and at any other time would have felt reproached by the consciousness of his own injustice.

But he was just now so bitterly disappointed that he smothered every other feeling, and answered angrily, "Yes, you have, and I don't care if you have; I suppose it's because I'm friends with Silk.