“Then you won’t fight?” exclaimed the astounded Wraysford.
“No, I won’t to please him. When I’ve nothing better to do I’ll do it;” and with the words his face flushed crimson as he bent it once more over his book.
Wraysford was quite taken aback by this unexpected answer, and hesitated before he turned to go.
“Do you hear what I say?” said Loman. “Don’t you see I’m working?”
“Look here,” said Wraysford, “I didn’t think you were a coward.”
“Think what you like. Do you suppose I care? If Greenfield wants so badly to fight me, why didn’t he do it last term when I gave him the chance? Get out of my study, and tell him I’ll have nothing to do with him or any of your stuck-up Fifth!”
Wraysford stared hard at the speaker and then said, “I suppose you’re afraid to fight me, either?”
“If you don’t clear out of my study I’ll report you to the Doctor, that’s what I’ll do,” growled Loman.
There was no use staying, evidently; and Wraysford returned dejectedly to Oliver.
“He won’t fight,” he announced.