“I beg your pardon, sir?”

“Is Mr. Steerforth coming from Oxford?”

“I should imagine that he might be here tomorrow, sir. I rather thought he might have been here today, sir. The mistake is mine, no doubt, sir.”

“If you should see him first⁠—” said I.

“If you’ll excuse me, sir, I don’t think I shall see him first.”

“In case you do,” said I, “pray say that I am sorry he was not here today, as an old schoolfellow of his was here.”

“Indeed, sir!” and he divided a bow between me and Traddles, with a glance at the latter.