“Who?”
“The captain of the school, sir.”
“What does he want?”
Hammond was respectfully patient.
“He wants to see you, sir.”
“To see me? Who? Who does?”
Dr Roe, you see, was still paying only partial attention.
This time Hammond made no answer at all. He merely stared at the Head.
Dr Roe tumbled to it suddenly. He had still been wondering what was really happening outside his window, but the sight of the school porter’s pitiful stare brought him to his senses abruptly. He waved a hand.
“Well, well,” said he, “show him in.”