“It might have been a treble event if Charlie had come too,” said Jimmy with a saucy laugh, in which all had to join.
Jimmy was quite right when he said that I had not come that time, which was hardly to be expected, as I had come so not long before; and though matters went on in a very lively and agreeable way for the remainder of the afternoon, none of us seriously attempted to bring on a climax again, Lord Harry being in no way an advocate of too great excess…
CHAPTER X. L'ENVOI
At length, the time for departure came, and Lord Harry traveled down with us to London where he intended to spend a few days.
Another parting of a more dismal kind, however, had to take place, for dear Bob Rutherford was not returning to school any more, but going under an Army coach in preparation for Sandhurst.
Blackie, Duke Jimmy and I each felt that the loss of his society would make a big difference to us at Mr. Percival's, and none of us cared to view in anticipation the rift in our circle of friendship. We could only put on brave faces as we wished him good luck, and try to hide the sorrow we felt.
It was a great grief to me to think that I should not again be cheered by Bob's habitual good humor and never failing support under all circumstances. I had not forgotten that he had been my first mentor in opening up the paths of pleasure to me, and I regarded him with affection accordingly.
I was only too confident in my own mind how greatly I would miss him, but our life in this world is made up of meetings and partings.
Bob came to the station to see me off, as he was remaining in town. We stole a kiss on the lips and shook hands warmly and, as the train started on its journey with puffs and snorts, I put my head out of the window to catch one more glimpse of his smiling face, wondering how long it would be before I should see him again