Robinson, who left the lead to Stone in all matters, said nothing. Stone spoke.
“We didn’t turn up,” he said.
“I know you didn’t. Why not?”
Stone had rehearsed this scene in his mind, and he spoke with the coolness which comes from rehearsal.
“We decided not to.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. We came to the conclusion that we hadn’t any use for early-morning fielding.”
Adair’s manner became ominously calm.
“You were rather fed-up, I suppose?”
“That’s just the word.”