“I think he’s a topper,” said I.

“Old college pal, I suppose,” said Jonah.  “Let’s call the Stilton after him.”

“Listen,” said Daphne.  “Didn’t you hear him say he was something to do with coal?  Well, the moment he said it, I thought of what I’ve been trying to remember ever since yesterday morning.  We’ve got three hundredweight left, and we’ve had more than our ration already.  For goodness’ sake, get him to do something for us.”

“You wicked woman,” said Berry.  “You wicked, deceitful woman.”

“Nonsense,” said Daphne.  “It’s just a stroke of luck.  Of course, he mayn’t be able to help, but it’s worth trying.  If you want to do without a hot bath—­let alone fires—­for the next three months, I don’t.”

“And I am to be the cat’s-paw?” said Berry.  “I’m to have the felicity of hobnobbing with that poisonous bounder——­”

“You’ve done it before,” said I.  “He remembers it perfectly.”

“Vermin,” said Berry, “you lie.  My association with that little pet was confined to the two solitary occasions upon which I was so misguided as to be the guest of a club of which he was not a member, but which was, nevertheless, an institution of the college which he adorned.  After dinner it was customary to pay a short but eventful visit to the rooms of the most unpopular man in college.  On each occasion Mr. Lewis’s rooms were unanimously selected.”

“Nemesis,” said I.  “He’s getting his own back.”

“I rejoice to think,” said my brother-in-law, “that it was I who conceived the idea of secreting Chinese figs in every pair of his boots and shoes that could be found.  If I remember, we used the best part of two boxes.”

“I depend upon you,” said Daphne.  “Be civil to him for five minutes, and we’ll—­we’ll wait for you between St. Mary’s and The Radcliffe.”

“But how nice of you!  I should hate to suggest that you were not taking any risks.  Of course, a punt moored in midstream would be safer.”

“He might be worse,” said I.  “I admit I could spare the diamond, but at least he’s not wearing a cummerbund and sand shoes.”

“Hush,” said Jonah.  “He’s keeping them for Henley.  You won’t catch him out on dress.  Ah me,” he added with a sigh, “I love to see old chums meet again, don’t you?”

“There’s nothing so touching,” said I, “as a reunion of souls.  To revive the memory of boyhood’s intimacy, of joys and troubles shared, of visits to the tuck-shop....  If the truth were known, I expect they were always together, sort of inseparable, you know.”

“No doubt.  Naturally, Berry’s a bit shy at first, but that’s often the way.  Before the afternoon’s out, he’ll be calling him ‘Erb’ again, and they’ll have changed hats.”

“This,” said Berry, “is intolerable.  A little more and I shall burst into large pear-shaped tears.  Let’s pay the bill, will you?” He rose to his feet.  “And now I’m going to remember more things in five minutes than Mr. Lewis has forgotten in thirteen years.  Will two tons be enough?”