“Davenport said he was going for a walk with Lawrence, and he told Sturges, Benson, Elgar and me that he should want us to come as well. He was very cunning and mentioned the thing to Mr. Chadwick. However, Davenport seemed nicer somehow to us all at once, and he actually told Elgar he hoped he hadn't hurt him with his games. I don't know what has come over him, but perhaps he sees that he has been going it a little too strong. I hope so, anyway, as I am sure we don't want to make any bother, and if he only played ordinary jokes on us, we wouldn't say a word.”

“I shall be awfully glad if you are right,” I said, “although it might be that he has got an inkling of Rutherford's being about to take the matter up.”

“I heard Davenport say something about the sea, but I am not quite sure,” Williams told us.

“Really,” I exclaimed. “That's where we are going. Perhaps we might see you then.”

Shortly after this, we set out for our walk, striking across the fields and through the woodlands in a direct course for the sea. It was a beautifully clear day at the end of May, the air was quite hot and everything breathed of summer in this favored part of the land.

The trees were in full leaf, the meadows were sheets of wild flowers and our ears were filled with the songs of the birds and the babbling music of the many brooks for which “Fair Devon” is noted.

Bright colored moths and butterflies, flitted and hovered before us, and the multitudinous sights and sounds of the country broke in upon me with a pleasurable effect, which combined with the happy freedom of the moment, the joy of existence forced itself upon my consciousness more keenly than it had ever done before and I raised my voice in a merry, lilting song.

“Charlie is in good spirits today, isn't he,” cried Jimmy.

“Yes,” replied Bob, with a smile, “but he had better be careful how he airs his notes, or Mr. Percival will be capturing him for the chair.”