"I say," said Jellicoe, "I just wanted to thank you again about that—"
"Oh, that's all right."
"No, but it really was awfully decent of you. You might have got into a frightful row. Were you nearly caught?"
"Jolly nearly."
"It was you who rang the bell, wasn't it?"
"Yes, it was. But for goodness' sake don't go gassing about it, or somebody will get to hear who oughtn't to, and I shall be sacked."
"All right. But, I say, you are a chap!"
"What's the matter now?"
"I mean about Sammy, you know. It's a jolly good score off old Downing. He'll be frightfully sick."
"Sammy!" cried Mike. "My good man, you don't think I did that, do you? What absolute rot! I never touched the poor brute."