Wally, however, was determined to manage somehow. He indignantly rejected Percy’s offer to his more spacious apartment over the way. No. He had captured the lion—he and D’Arcy—and they would entertain him in their own den.
After all, it was not so bad. It only meant letting the fire out and putting one chair in the fender, and shoving the other end of the table (which had been doubled in length by the addition of the table out of a neighbouring room, that was within four inches of the same height) close up against the door, which it was just possible to shut. As, however, the door opened outwards, it was necessary for the gentleman occupying the foot of the table to sit out in the passage, much to the inconvenience of the casual passers-by.
To a shy man like Mr Rollitt, it was a difficult position to find himself the honoured guest of nine young gentlemen like these.
“Thank’ee kindly, young masters,” said he, when Ashby relieved him of his hat and Fisher minor of his bag, and Percy undermined him with a chair, and Cottle handed him the Boy’s Own Paper, and Cash came in with a hassock, and D’Arcy put a railway rug over his knees.
Wally, whose ideas of hospitality were of the old school, deemed it expedient, while tea was being served, to engage his guest on the subject of the weather.
“Rather finer the last few days than it was the other week when it rained?” said he. “Rollitt’s having fine weather for his trip.”
This was an artful way of introducing the topic of the hour.
“Thank you kindly, yes. He’s bound to be somewheres, is my Alf,” replied Mr Rollitt.
“It’s all right; we’re backing him up. He made a ripping run for the School against Rendlesham. He bashed the ball through the scrimmage, you know, and then nipped it up right under their noses and ran it through. They couldn’t collar him, he bowled ’em over right and left, and danced on ’em, and landed the touch clean behind the post.”
“He meant no harm, young gents, didn’t my Alf. He ain’t often wiolent, he ain’t. There’s no offence, I hope?” said the father, quite overwhelmed by this alarming recital.