as the good
of coming home, he said to himself, if---- What was the use of having so
looked forward to the holidays and lost that prize, and disappointed
everybody, if---- There rose such a ferment in Jock's veins as had never
been there before. When the ladies left the room after dinner it was he
that opened the door for them, and as Lucy looked up with a smile into
her brother's face she met from him a scowl which took away her breath.
Why did he scowl at Lucy? and why think that in all his life he had
never seen so dull a company before? Their good things after dinner were
odious to his ears; and to think, that even MTutor should be able to
laugh at such miserable jokes and take an interest in such small talk!
That fellow Montjoie, above all, was intolerable to Jock. He had been
quite low down in the school when he left, a being of no account, a
creature called by opprobrious names, and not worthy to tie the shoes of
a member of Sixth Form. But when he rattled loudly on about nothing at
all, even Sir Tom did not refuse to listen. What was Montjoie doing
here? When the gentlemen streamed into the drawing-room, a procession of
black coats, Jock, who came last, could not help being aware that he was
scowling at everybody. He met the eyes of one of those inoffensive
little girls in blue, and made her jump, looking at her as if he would
eat her. And all the evening through he kept prowling about with his
hands in his pockets, now looking at the books in the shelves, now
frowning at Lucy, who could not think what was the matter with her
brother. Was Jock ill? What had happened to him? The young ladies in
blue sang an innocent little duet, and Jock stared at the Contessa,
wondering if she was going to sing, and if the door would open and the
slim figure in the black frock come in as by a signal and place herself
at the piano. But the Contessa only laughed behind her fan, and made a
little pretence at applause when the music ceased, having talked all
through it, she and the gentlemen about her, of whom Montjoie was one
and the loudest. No, she was not going to sing. When the door opened it
was only to admit the servants with their trays and the tea which nobody
wanted. What was the use of looking forward to the holidays if---- Mr.
Derwentwater, perhaps, had similar thoughts. He came up to Jock behind
the backs of the other people, and put an uneasy question to him.

"I thought you said that Madame di Forno-Populo sang?"

"S