“Yes, sir,” I said in a low voice.
“Disgraceful! Well, the Doctor must know of it, and he will punish you both severely.”
The two masters moved off to their table, and a buzz of excitement ran through the nearest boys, while, as I looked up, I could see Burr major standing up in his place and looking over toward us.
“I say,” whispered Mercer, “here’s a game; they think we two have been fighting together like old Lom did. Let ’em think so. Don’t you say a word.”
“But it will be so dishonest,” I expostulated.
“No, it won’t. If they ask you who you fought with, you must say nothing.”
“Not tell them?”
“No. The Doctor will say you are stubborn and obstinate, and threaten to expel you; but he don’t mean it, and you’ve got to hold your tongue, as I told you before. We never split on each other here.”
“Will the Doctor know, do you think?” I asked, as we went on with our breakfast.
“Sure to. Old Reb’s safe to go and tell him directly he comes.”