"Eh? Fire away! You say——"
"I was wondering, sir, if——"
"Oh, come now, none of your 'sirs.' What is it?" asked Sturton, thinking that Clive was quite a decent little fellow, an acquisition to the dormitory.
"Well—er—oh, I don't know."
Sturton laughed outright. Susanne grinned. If Clive suffered from bashfulness, at least he didn't.
"He doesn't like to say it; but we're chums—isn't that the word?" he asked. "You see, I got into the same carriage with him. There was another chap there, and he'd come to make himself disagreeable to Darrell. So I—er, chipped in, eh?"
"Got it right—chipped in's the word," admitted Sturton, looking interested, while Clive nodded vigorously.
"Chipped in, and together Darrell and I made him look foolish. Darrell's wondering whether we could have our beds close together, then I needn't bother to ask leave."
"Why, of course! Bring your bag over. Change places with one of these fellows on either side. I dare say they won't mind."
The exchange was made promptly, and Clive found himself chatting away with his new friend. He was half undressed when that fair giant whom he had first seen at the station, and then again amongst the masters processing into chapel, entered the dormitory. He went from boy to boy, shaking hands heavily but with sincerity and friendship.