I made twenty-five last summer against
Porthington Grammar; they're not much good _really_, and it was our
second eleven, and I was nearly out second ball; anyway I made
twenty-five, and afterwards as I was ragging about I suddenly thought of
him. I _know_ he was pleased. If it had been a little darker I believe I'd
have seen him. And then last night, after I was in bed and was thinking
about what you'd said I _know_ he was near the window, only I didn't look
lest he should go away. But of course Mr. Lasher would say that's all rot,
like the pirates, only I _know_ it isn't." Hugh broke off for lack of
breath, nothing else would have stopped him. When he was encouraged he was
a terrible talker. He suddenly added in a sharp little voice like the
report from a pistol: "So one can't be lonely or anything, can one, if
there's always some one about?"
Mr. Pidgen was greatly touched. He put his hand upon Hugh's shoulder.
"My dear boy," he said, "my dear boy--dear me, dear me. I'm afraid
you're going to have a dreadful time when you grow up. I really mustn't
encourage you. And yet, who can help himself?"
"But you said yourself that you'd seen him, that you knew him quite
well?"
"And so I do--and so I do.
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