Jack Marsden was the only one of the three who looked in the least like a gentleman at that moment. Ealing and Reggie were both in change, they both wore villainously muddy flannel knickerbockers, short enough to disclose villainously muddy knees, old blazers, and strong, useful, football boots with bars. Jack, who had taken no part in the confused noise, was sitting in a low chair reading Alice in Wonderland, and eating cake in the manner of a man who does not think about dinner.
“I wasn’t asleep,” he remarked. “I heard every word you fellows were saying.”
“Dormouse,” explained Ealing.
“Dormouse it is. Give me some more tea, Reggie.”
“I call it so jolly sociable to read a book when you come to tea,” remarked Reggie.
“So do I. Thanks. And another piece of cake.”
“Football’s a beastly game,” said Ealing.
“Especially when one is beaten. Here we are out of the Cup ties in the first round, and what one is to do now I don’t know. I can’t think why people ever play football.”
“I shall work,” said Ealing. “Have you seen the list of the subjects for the Mays? I think it must be meant for a joke. They have set all the classical authors I ever heard of, and nearly all I haven’t ever heard of.”
“I want a clean cup,” quoted Jack.