ecover.

"Er, I beg your pardon?" said Mrs Patrick, leaning slightly forward and
inclining her head a little on one side.

"I mean, I beg your pardon," said Riddell, suddenly perceiving his
mistake and losing his head at the same time, "I mean, quite so, thank
you."

"You mean," interposed Miss Stringer at this point, in a voice a note
deeper than her sister's, "that your mother's indisposition _is_ of a
serious character?"

"Oh no, not at all, I'm sure," ejaculated the hapless Riddell.

"I am glad to hear you say so, very," said Miss Stringer.

"Very," said Mrs Patrick.

At this point Riddell had serious thoughts of bolting altogether, and
might have done so had not the servant just then created a diversion by
bringing in the kettle.

"Sit down, Riddell," said the doctor, "and make yourself at home. What
are the prospects for the regatta this year? Is the schoolhouse boat to
win?"

"I'm sorry I can't say," replied Riddell. "I believe Parrett's is the
favourite."

"Mr Riddell means Mr Parrett's, I presume?" asked Mrs Patrick in her
sweetest tones, looking hard at the speaker, and emphasising the "Mr"

"I beg your pardon," he said, "I'm sorry."

"We shall miss Wyndham," said the doctor.

"Yes, thank you," replied Riddell, who at that moment was dodging
vaguely in front of Miss Stringer as she stood solemnly waiting to get
past him to the tea-table.

It was a relief when tea was at last ready, and when some other
occupation was possible than that of looking at and being looked at by
these two ladies.

"You're not very fond of athletics, Riddell?" asked the doctor.

"No, sir," answered Riddell, steadily avoiding the eyes of the females.

"I often think you'd be better if you took more exercise," said the
doctor.

"Judging by Mr Riddell's looks," said Mrs Patrick, "it would certainly
seem as if he hardly did himself justice physically."

This enigmatical sentence, which might have been a compliment or might
have been a rebuke or might have meant neither, Riddell found himself
quite unable to reply to appropriately, and therefore, like a sensible
man, took a drink of tea instead. It was the first dawn of reviving
presence of mind.

"Apart from your own health altogether," continued the doctor, "I fancy
your position with the other boys would be better if you entered rather
more into their sports."

"I often feel that, sir," said Riddell, with a touch of seriousness in
his tones, "and I wish I