XIV
A SKIRMISH
Upon consideration Sheen determined to see Linton about that small matter of the boat without delay. After prayers that night he went to his study.
"Can I speak to you for a minute, Linton?" he said.
Linton was surprised. He disapproved of this intrusion. When a fellow is being cut by the house, he ought, by all the laws of school etiquette, to behave as such, and not speak till he is spoken to.
"What do you want?" asked Linton.
"I shan't keep you long. Do you think you could put away that book for a minute, and listen?"
Linton hesitated, then shut the book.
"Hurry up, then," he said.
"I was going to," said Sheen. "I simply came in to tell you that I know perfectly well who sunk my boat this afternoon."
He felt at once that he had now got Linton's undivided attention.