Bobbie did not answer. He appeared to be considering the point.
“There’s another thing,” observed Coles, as if to help him decide. “You may know that Rouse is fighting tooth and nail to retain the captaincy of football. There’s a deputation going to the Head this evening. It’s touch and go what happens. Any slight evidence against Rouse or Rouse’s clique will make all the difference. Well, you know what I’ve just seen, don’t you? I’ve seen you and Henry Hope threatening that little kid who’s supposed to have caused all the trouble by splitting on Rouse. You know what that means. You’re friendly with Rouse and so is Hope. Supposing I go to the Head now and tell him what I’ve seen, which way do you think his decision will go? He’s dead nuts on bullying. That’s the only thing that’s caused Rouse’s downfall. You see what I mean.... Trying to get at the kid whom Rouse has been bullying, trying to frighten him into saying Rouse never bullied him at all. You get me, don’t you?”
Bobbie looked at him in amazement.
“Why—why, you wouldn’t do a thing like that?”
Coles laughed shortly.
“Wouldn’t I? That’s all you know about it. You haven’t summed me up very well.” He shook his head. “No,” said he, “I don’t stick at a little thing like that. Now, which shall it be? Quick! I told you I was in a hurry.... Will you let Rouse in over the captaincy or stick to me?”
Bobbie did not take long to consider. He was new to Public School life and there was clearly no time to consult Henry.
“If it’s a question of that, I’ll stick to you.”
Coles smiled pleasantly. “Right,” said he. “Well, don’t forget it. And don’t turn round to-morrow and say you won’t. Because now you’ve promised there’s plenty of ways of keeping you to your word.”
This was unnecessary. If Bobbie Carr once promised, nothing else was necessary to keep him to his word. But perhaps Coles may be excused for not appreciating such a point of view as that.