"Ray?"
For a second my voice or will failed me, so I pretended I had not heard, and let him ask again.
"Ray?"
"None, sir."
Every boy turned towards me, and my cheeks burned to maroon. I caught mutters of "Well, I'm hanged!" "Ye gods!" "Good-night!"
"Wh-what did you say?" stuttered Carpet Slippers.
I was irritated and nervous and replied rather too loudly:
"None, sir."
"None? Why none?"
"I didn't learn it."