"I'd rather not, please. I'm reading hard, and, besides--"
"Besides what?"
"I've no right to expect you to associate with me."
"Why _ever_ not?"
"I may as well tell you straight out. My father is a gamekeeper, and I
am a gamekeeper's son."
Jim laughed pleasantly.
"Well, really your logic is perfect, but I can't say as much for your
sense. Bless you, man, aren't we all of us lineal descendants of a
gardener? Come along!"
"Please excuse me," again faltered George; "you are very kind, but your
friends may not thank you for--"
"My friends!--oh, yes!" blurted out Jim. "What on earth business have
they to put their noses into my affairs. Like their impudence, all of
them!"
Jim, you will see, was still a boy, though he had whiskers.
"Don't blame them till they have offended. Anyhow, Mr Halliday, please
excuse me. I want to read, and have made a rule never to go out."
"Look here--what's your name?" began Jim.
"Reader," replied my master.
"Reader! Are you the fellow who's in for the Wigram Scholarship?" cried
Jim, in astonishment.
"Yes," replied George; "how did you know?"
"Only that some of the fellows are backing you for winner."
George laughed. "They'll be disappointed," he said.
"I hope not," said Jim, "for if you get it you'll be free of the
college, and get into rather better quarters than the `Mouse-trap.' But
look here, Reader, do come to my rooms, there's a good fellow; if _you_
don't want any friends, don't prevent my having one."
This was irresistible, and George had nothing for it but to yield, and
with many misgivings to accompany his new friend.