Mr Stratton stayed half an hour chatting over the shop affairs, and then rose to go.
“Good night, boys. It’s time for Mr Forder’s boys to be back in their house.”
This unpleasant reminder had a very damping effect on the conviviality of the party generally. As soon as the master had gone, Wally said—
“It strikes me you Modern kids are in a bit of a mess.”
“I’m afraid your bedroom will be a little untidy,” said Fisher minor.
“The best thing you can do is to climb back by the window,” suggested D’Arcy.
“I don’t fancy you’ll want a warming-pan to-night,” said Ashby.
This was all very nice and helpful. The heroes looked at one another dismally.
“We must lump it,” said Percy. “They can’t do anything very bad.”
“Can’t they?” said Cottle. “Were you ever licked by Brinkman?”