“What?” cried the two boys together.
“You must put some one else on instead of me; I’ve got a headache too.”
“Oh, I say,” cried Hodson, and he and Burr both tried hard to shake Mercer’s sudden resolution. I too tried, but it was of no use; he grew more stubborn every minute; and after Burr major had again referred to his watch, the two lads went off together, disappointed and vexed.
“You might have gone and played with them, Tom,” I said.
“I know that,” he replied; “but I wasn’t going without you. I’m going to stop and talk.”
“No, no, don’t,” I said. “I only want to be quiet till— Oh, my head, my head!”
“Why, Burr junior, what’s this?” cried Mr Hasnip, coming up and speaking cheerily. “Bad headache? not going to play?”
“No, sir, I feel too ill.”
“Oh, come, this is a bad job. Hi, Rebble!”
The latter gentleman came up.