“Why, he can imitate you to the life,” said Jack.

“Oh, come, nonsense!” said Guthrie, reddening; “that is really low, Jack.”

“I confess to a great curiosity about it,” said Mr. Sandys.

“Oh, don’t mind me,” said Howard; “it would amuse me above everything—­like catching a glance at oneself in an unexpected mirror!”

Guthrie, after a little more pressing, yielded.  He said a few sentences, supposed to be Howard teaching, in a rather soft voice, with what seemed to Howard a horribly affected and priggish emphasis.  But the matter displeased him still more.  It was facetious, almost jocose; and there was a jerky attempt at academic humour in it, which seemed to him particularly nauseous, as of a well-informed and quite superior person condescending to the mildest of witticisms, to put himself on a level with juvenile minds.  Howard had thought himself both unaffected and elastic in his communications with undergraduates, and this was the effect he produced upon them!  However, he mastered his irritation; the others laughed a little tentatively; it was felt for a moment that the affair had just passed the limits of conventional civility.  Howard contrived to utter a species of laugh, and said, “Well, that’s quite a revelation to me.  It never occurred to me that there could be anything to imitate in my utterance; but then it is always impossible to believe that anyone can find anything to discuss in one behind one’s back—­though I suppose no one can escape.  I must get a stock of new witticisms, I think; the typical ones seem a little threadbare.”

“Oh no, indeed,” said Miss Merry, gallantly; “I was just thinking how much I should like to be taught like that!”

The little incident seemed rather to damp the spirits of the party.  Guthrie himself seemed deeply annoyed at having consented:  and it was a relief to all when Mr. Sandys suddenly pulled out his watch and said, “Well, all pleasant things come to an end—­though to be sure there is generally another pleasant thing waiting round the corner.  I have to get back, but I am not going to spoil the party.  I shall enjoy a bit of a walk.”

“Well,” said Howard, “I think I will set you on your way.  I want a talk about one or two things; but I will come back to chaperon Miss Merry—­I suppose I shall find you somewhere about?”

“Yes,” said Miss Merry, “I am going to try a sketch—­but I must not have anyone looking over my shoulder.  I am no good at sketching—­ but I like to be made to look close at a pretty thing.  I am going to try the chalk-pit and thicket near the tower—­chalk-pits suit my style, because one can leave so much of the paper white!”

“Very well,” said Howard, “I will be back here in an hour.”