"Oh, you're awful," said Brewster, and walked away.
But that evening he came over to the School house studies and, just before Hall, a small boy ran across to the reading-room to tell Roland that Brewster was in the cloisters and would like to speak to him.
"Well," said Roland, "and what is it?"
"It's about the girl."
Roland affected a weary impatience.
"Oh, Lord, but I thought we'd finished with all that. I told you that I wasn't going to give her away."
"Yes, I know; but ... ah, well, look here, I must know who the girl is. No, don't interrupt. Will you tell me if I promise to come out with her once?"
Roland thought for a moment. He had his man now, but it would not do to hurry things. He must play for safety a little longer.
"Oh, yes, I know that game," he said. "I shall tell you her name and then you'll wish you hadn't promised and you'll get frightened, and when the time comes you will have sprained an ankle in a house match and won't be able to come for a walk. That won't do at all."
"But I swear I wouldn't do that," Brewster protested. "Really, I wouldn't."