We talked it over during prep., and Pedlar said—
"On the whole, we'd better keep this afternoon's work to ourselves."
And I said—
"We were overreached by superior cunning, and we'd better give Cherry Ripe best in future."
And Trelawny said—
"Wait! This, in a way, is a defeat. But I'll arrange a jolly good Waterloo for Cherry Ripe yet."
Meaning, of course, that he would be Wellington, and that Cherry Ripe would be merely Napoleon.
However, though I didn't say it to Trelawny, I doubt very much if he is clever enough to score off Cherry Ripe till he grows up. Then, of course, Cherry Ripe will find him a bitter and relentless foe.
THE QWARRY
No. IX