"Ever had your head smacked?" he inquired courteously.
A slightly strained look came into Thomas's blue eyes.
"Not often," he replied politely. "Why?"
"Oh, I don't know," said Spencer. "I was only wondering."
"Oh?"
"Look here," said Spencer, "my mater told me to look after you."
"Well, you can look after me now if you want to, because I'm going."
And Thomas dissolved the meeting by walking off in the direction of the junior block.
"That kid," said Spencer to his immortal soul, "wants his head smacked, badly."
At lunch Phipps had questions to ask.