"Oh!" said Bruce. He did not seem to wish to know why Sheen had been there.
Sheen proceeded to explain.
"I suppose you've heard all about me," he said uncomfortably. "About the town, you know. That fight. Not joining in."
"Heard something about it," said Bruce.
"I went down town again after that," said Sheen, "and met the same fellows who were fighting Linton and the others. They came for me, and I was getting awfully mauled when Joe Bevan turned up."
"Oh, is Joe back again?"
"Do you know him?" asked Sheen in surprise.
"Oh yes. I used to go to the 'Blue Boar' to learn boxing from him all last summer holidays."
"Did you really? Why, that's what I'm doing now."
"Good man," said Bruce.