e it as a reflection on his table. Third--"

"Would you mind going on talking for an hour or two, Vick?" interrupted
Cadbury in a drowsy voice. "I find it very helpful and soothing. Of
course, if you could sing the words it would be a still more perfect
lullaby."

Vickers, mistaking the voice for Jack's, flung a sponge at the wrong
head, and relapsed into silence. Jack, roused at this injustice, dipped
the sponge into his water-jug, and returned it with force. Vickers
ducked, and it exploded against the wall above his head. Cadbury watched
and chuckled. The shadow cast by coming events had not quite overwhelmed
the boys' spirits.

When they were called, the boot-boy laid a book on Cadbury's bed as he
passed. The inside of the cover was found to contain the following words
in Grey's handwriting:--

_Dear C.,--For pity's sake, dress quick, and meet me 5' before the
bell in the housemaid's cupboard. There's standing-room.--E. G._

Now, though they had been thrown together in the chicken incident,
Cadbury and Grey were not bosom friends, and Cadbury did not feel
particularly eager for this interview. But he good-naturedly did as he
was asked, and sneaked out of his room five minutes before the bell had
rung which formally permitted the boys to leave.

He found Grey already awaiting him in the chosen rendezvous among
brooms, dusters, and pails. It is true there was standing-room, but it
was dangerous to move. As the cupboard door opened to admit him, it let
in enough light to reveal Grey's white, frightened face, and as he
pulled Cadbury inside the latter noticed the clammy "frogginess" of his
hands. He drew the door to very carefully.

"Good-morning!" said Cadbury. "This is a pleasant spot to meet in. So
romantic!"

"Cadbury, how can you joke, when it's all up with us?" Grey's voice was
quite hoarse.

"What's the good of looking forward? Seize the flying moment, and suck
honey while you may. That's my motto."

"But you think with me; it _is_ all up with us?"

"I'm afraid that's about the long and the short of it. Pepper was very
hot and red last night,--regular Cayenne, in fact; and I have noticed
that Cayenne at night spells Cane in the morning."

"Cadbury, please stop making fun! I--can't bear it. You don't care, but
I do. I haven't slept a wink all night."

"Pick up your spirit, then, and pocket your fears. I'll stand by you,
and take my full share. We'll brace ourselves together and face the
m