"Very well, then," returned Chawner meekly, "I will—and we'll see who wins!"
And they went back to the schoolroom again, where Mr. Bultitude, boiling with rage and seriously alarmed as well, tried to sit down and appear as if nothing had happened.
Chawner sat down too, in a place from which he could see all Paul's movements, and they both watched one another anxiously from the corners of their eyes till the Doctor came in.
"It's a foggy evening," he said as he entered: "the younger boys had better stay in. Chawner, you and the rest of the first form can go to church; get ready at once."
Paul's heart leaped with triumph; with his enemy out of the way, he could carry out his purpose unhindered. The same thing apparently occurred to Chawner, for he said mildly, "Please, sir, may Richard Bultitude come too?"
"Can't Bultitude ask leave for himself?" said the Doctor.
"I, sir!" said the horrified Paul, "it's a mistake—I don't want to go. I—I don't feel very well this evening!"
"Then you see, Chawner, you misunderstood him. By the way, Bultitude, there was something you were to tell me, I think?"
Chawner's small glittering eyes were fixed on Paul menacingly as he managed to stammer that he did want to say something in private.
"Very well, I am going out to see a friend for an hour or so—when I come back I will hear you," and he left the room abruptly.