Newall disdained to answer. It was some time before he got clear of the feathers, and then they left unmistakable marks.
"It won't be long before I find out who served me this trick," he said; "but I don't think we want to go to the shed now over the other matter."
"Newall's had more than enough of the shed already, seems to me," drawled Waterman.
"Dry up, Water. You're getting it on the brain," responded Newall gruffly.
"I think Newall's quite right," said Stanley. "There's no need for any meeting now. We've found out that it's all true enough about Percival—that he has met a Beetle, that he has spoken to him, that he has shaken hands with him that he is on friendly terms with him. He's admitted it, so it's no use going to the shed."
There was a murmur of assent.
"Well, but you can't leave it at that. Something more must be done, else Percival will be laughing at us in his sleeve," said Parfitt.
"Why not—why shouldn't we leave it at that?" said Waterman. "What's the use of worrying over trifles? Percival talks to a Beetle. Why on earth shouldn't he, if he likes it? Percival shakes hands with a Beetle. Again, I ask, where's the objection, so long as he doesn't want me to do it, or any other fellow in the Form. What's the use of making such an awful smoke?"
"I think we'd better truss him with Waterman," suggested Newall.
"That's better than being feathered anyhow," retorted Waterman coolly.