"There appears to be nothing on it," Sir Julian made rejoinder, with equal obviousness, but in a voice that was not without point.
"Nothing at all," agreed Mr. Cooper, rather feverishly, and running a hand across the green-baize square as though further to demonstrate its bareness.
"I see you're in early, Sir Julian."
"I have an appointment with Mr. Easter, but I'm rather too soon. Fuller is in class, I suppose?"
"Yes, Sir Julian. Let me see," Cooper produced his wrist-watch. "I'll look at the time. Yes. He'll be in class for the next three-quarters of an hour. Shall I send for him, Sir Julian?"
"No, thanks. I'm in no hurry. There's just the question of the place to be opened at Gloucester. You've heard about it, haven't you, Cooper?"
"Oh, yes, Sir Julian. The whole staff has been much interested, and very proud too, if I may say so. I'd even thought—I don't know if I may venture——"
"Are you a candidate for the job of going down there next week?" Sir Julian asked, smiling.
"Not myself," said Mr. Cooper. "I may even say, Sir Julian, that I doubt if I could be spared at the moment. We have one or two French scholars, and the accountancy is particularly heavy just now. Of course, it's what you wish, Sir Julian, but I hardly think I could leave at present, even for a day or two. But I was wondering whether I might venture a suggestion."
"Certainly," said Sir Julian, rather astonished.