“Really, Mansfield,” began Pledge, “I’ve no doubt it’s an honour to receive a call from the Captain, but you seem to forget this is my study, not your’s.”
“You sent Heathcote out last night on purpose,” said Mansfield, ignoring the protest, “and what I want to know now is whether you are going to resign your monitorship or not?”
Pledge’s eyes blazed out as he met the Captain’s determined face and cool eyes.
“You don’t seem to have heard what I said?” he replied.
“I heard every word, and you heard my question?” answered the Captain.
“And suppose I don’t choose to answer your question?”
“Then I’ll answer it for you. If you choose to resign, you may. If you don’t—”
“Well?”
“You cease to be a monitor, all the same.”
“Who says so?” asked Pledge, sharply, and with pale lips.