Chapter 15

           February8.—ItdoesseemhardIcannotgetgoodsausagesforbreakfast.Theyareeitherfullofbreadorspice,orareasredasbeef.Stillanxiousaboutthe£20IinvestedlastweekbyLupin’sadvice.However,Cummingshasdonethesame.

           February9.—Exactlyafortnighthaspassed,andIhaveneitherseennorheardfromGowingrespectinghisextraordinaryconductinaskingusroundtohishouse,andthenbeingout.IntheeveningCarriewasengagedmarkingahalf-dozennewcollarsIhadpurchased.I’llbackCarrie’smarkingagainstanybody’s.WhileIwasdryingthematthefire,andCarriewasrebukingmeforscorchingthem,Cummingscamein.

           Heseemedquitewellagain,andchaffedusaboutmarkingthecollars.IaskedhimifhehadheardfromGowing,andherepliedthathehadnot.IsaidIshouldnothavebelievedthatGowingcouldhaveactedinsuchanungentlemanlymanner.Cummingssaid:“Youaremildinyourdescriptionofhim;Ithinkhehasactedlikeacad.”

           Thewordswerescarcelyoutofhismouthwhenthedooropened,andGowing,puttinginhishead,said:“MayIcomein?”Isaid:“Certainly.”Carriesaidverypointedly:“Well,youareastranger.”Gowingsaid:“Yes,I’vebeenonandofftoCroydonduringthelastfortnight.”IcouldseeCummingswasboilingover,andeventuallyhetackledGowingverystronglyrespectinghisconductlastSaturdayweek.Gowingappearedsurprised,andsaid:“Why,Ipostedalettertoyouinthemorningannouncingthatthepartywas‘off,verymuchoff.’”Isaid:“Inevergotit.