“And you hoped to get one more at that corner, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Damned rude of you to call me a pigeon. I’ll pay you out for that.”
Philip was out on the terrace when the two boys came in. Colin took Raymond’s arm affectionately when he saw him.
“Hullo, father,” he said. “We’ve had such a ripping morning. I won my match, and Raymond downed forty pigeons, and they’ve caught the madman. Oh, my bicycle punctured, by the way, but that was a blessing in disguise, for I had a jolly walk through the Old Park, and found Raymond. We’ve had a nice talk, too, and we want you to witness something for us after lunch.”
“What’s that?” said Philip.
“Oh, just a private little arrangement that only concerns us.... Shan’t we show it father, Ray?”
“Oh, I think not,” said he.
Colin raised his eyebrows as he met his father’s glance. “All right,” he said. “Just as you like.”