"I had better leave at once, sir; as soon as the boys know that I am not here they will return," was Ananda's reply.
"You understand the situation?"
"Quite; the absence of the boys is convincing."
His dejection touched the Englishman. "I am sorry, very sorry for you. We must see what can be done in some other way. I will write to Mr. Alderbury at once."
Ananda turned his back on the silent rooms and walked towards the road. The residence of the Principal stood on his left fronting the other way. Mrs. Hulver was in the back verandah, her eye scanning the landscape. She called sharply to the butler.
"Ramachetty, go and tell that native gentleman over there that I want to speak to him."
Ananda, surprised at the summons, responded to her call.
"Come in, Mr. Ananda; I want a few words with you," was her greeting.
Mrs. Hulver bustled into her sitting-room, followed by her visitor.
"Sit down," she said, in her expansive maternal manner. "I have something to tell you. Do you know that those imps of boys who ought to be in class are waiting outside about a hundred yards up the road?"