“As soon as I saw you were apparently not here, though, I of course looked towards that cupboard first.”
“Thinking,” said Rouse gently, “to reach yourself a piece of pie so soon as the place was clear. I’m inclined to think, young Nicholson, that you were as surprised as I was.”
Terence made an abrupt gesture.
“The Head’s given his answer.”
“What is it?”
Terence told him.
“The name of the new Rugger captain,” said he, “is Roe.”
Rouse looked him through and through, the while his expression slowly changed from one of puzzled misunderstanding to one of set resignation.
He asked no questions. He just thought it out for himself whilst Terence watched him. It was no use saying: “What do you mean?” The words were an explanation in themselves. At last, however, he spoke. His face was a little drawn and his eyes shone with an almost feverish light, but his voice was natural.
“Roe?” said he brightly. “Not young Roe, the son of old Roe?”