“Because,” said Smythe logically enough, “there is no football.”
“But surely——” said the other. “Why ... I’m captain of football.”
“I believe you are,” responded Smythe; “but my last duty was to scratch the whole of our fixtures for the season.”
Roe was visibly shaken.
“Of course,” added Smythe presently, “it’s a rotten position for you.”
“No, no,” replied the new boy. “I don’t mind a bit. We must arrange some more fixtures now that I’ve come.”
For a moment Smythe stared at him. Then he turned, reached for his book, sat down and commenced to read.
“I must make some notices out,” said Roe. “You must introduce me to the team.”
He waited hopefully for an answer. Smythe merely turned over a page.
“Of course,” continued Roe, “when I first heard about this I was only told that circumstances had arisen which made it desirable that I should leave Wilton.”