“Yes; but I recall all I said. That is the boy I want. Can I take him at once?”
“At once, sir!” said the master, as the little fellow, with his face a study, listened eagerly, and looked from one to the other. “I shall have to bring your proposal before the Board.”
“That is to say, before me and my colleagues,” said the doctor, smiling. “Well, as one of the Guardians, I think I may venture to take the boy now, and the formal business can be settled afterwards.”
“Oh yes, sir; of course. And I venture to think, sir, that it will not be necessary to go on with it.”
“Why, Mr Hippetts?”
“Because,” said the master, with a peculiar smile which was reflected in the schoolmaster’s face; “you are sure to bring him back.”
“I think I said before I shall not bring him back,” replied the doctor coldly.
The master bowed, and Mr Sibery cleared his throat and frowned at the boys.
“Then I think that’s all,” said the doctor, laying his hand upon the boy’s head.
“Do I understand you, sir, to mean that you want to take him now?”