after breakfast, but now the porter's heading off the worst
cases, and that last chap was the first for twenty minutes.
Come in here."

And I was ushered into an empty room with a good bay-window,
which enabled my full-blooded friend to inspect me yet more
critically in a good light; this he did without the least false
delicacy; then his questions began.

"'Varsity man?"

"No."

"Public school?"

"Yes."

"Which one?"

I told him, and he sighed relief.

"At last! You're the very first I've not had to argue with as
to what is and what is not a public school. Expelled?"

"No," I said, after a moment's hesitation; "no, I was not
expelled. And I hope you won't expel me if I ask a question in
my turn?"

"Certainly not."