Memoirs of a Voluptuary, or the Secret Life of an English Boarding School

CHAPTER X. L'ENVOI

At length, the time for departure came, and Lord Harry traveled down with us to London where he intended to spend a few days.

Another parting of a more dismal kind, however, had to take place, for dear Bob Rutherford was not returning to school any more, but going under an Army coach in preparation for Sandhurst.

Blackie, Duke Jimmy and I each felt that the loss of his society would make a big difference to us at Mr. Percival's, and none of us cared to view in anticipation the rift in our circle of friendship. We could only put on brave faces as we wished him good luck, and try to hide the sorrow we felt.

It was a great grief to me to think that I should not again be cheered by Bob's habitual good humor and never failing support under all circumstances. I had not forgotten that he had been my first mentor in opening up the paths of pleasure to me, and I regarded him with affection accordingly.

I was only too confident in my own mind how greatly I would miss him, but our life in this world is made up of meetings and partings.

Bob came to the station to see me off, as he was remaining in town. We stole a kiss on the lips and shook hands warmly and, as the train started on its journey with puffs and snorts, I put my head out of the window to catch one more glimpse of his smiling face, wondering how long it would be before I should see him again