Cresswell knew his man too well to be taken aback by the contradiction.
“Yes? Is the Den going to lick you for it?”
“I’d like to see them try,” said Dick, half viciously.
“So would I,” said the senior, laughing.
“Mansfield will be trying to make out I’ve promised to back him up,” said Dick.
Cresswell laughed.
“By Jove! he will be cut up when he finds you aren’t. He’ll resign.”
Dick coloured up, and looked a little foolish. “I didn’t mean that,” he said.
“No very dreadful thing if you did back him up, eh?” said the monitor, casually. “It might disgust some of your friends in the Den, but you aren’t obliged to toady to them.”
“Rather not,” said Dick.