He pulled his handkerchief from his pocket, and waved it at the others of
their party.

They caught sight of it, and came hurrying over through the dust.

Mrs. Saintsbury said, apparently as the sum of her consultations with
Mrs. Pasmer: "The Tree is to be at half-past five; and after we've seen a
few spreads, I'm going to take the ladies hone for a little rest."

"Oh no; don't do that," pleaded the young man. After making this protest
he seemed not to have anything to say immediately in support of it. He
merely added: "This is Miss Pasmer's first Class Day, and I want her to
see it all."

"But you'll have to leave us very soon to get yourself ready for the
Tree" suggested the Professor's lady, with a motherly prevision.

"I shall want just fifteen minutes for that."

"I know, better, Mr. Mavering," said Mrs. Saintsbury, with finality. "You
will want a good three-quarters of an hour to make yourself as
disreputable as you'll look at the Tree; and you'll have to take time for
counsel and meditation. You may stay with us just half an hour, and then
we shall part inexorably. I've seen a great many more Class Days than you
have, and I know what they are in their demands upon the Seniors."

"Oh; well! Then we won't think about the time," said the young man,
starting on with Miss Pasmer.