“It’s all very well,” said Ricketts, when the question was being canvassed for the hundredth time among his immediate friends. “I dare say they are all right, but it makes it jolly uncomfortable for us.”
“They oughtn’t to have given in in this way without letting the rest of us know first,” said Braddy. “Just see what a corner it puts us in.”
“All I can say is,” said Tom Senior, “I’ll be better satisfied when I know who did collar that paper if Greenfield didn’t.”
“Oh, but,” said Simon, seeing a chance, “I can assure you I saw him when he took it. I was going—”
“Shut up, you great booby!” cried Ricketts; “who asked you anything about it?”
Simon modestly retired hereupon, and Braddy took up the talk.
“Yes, who did take the paper? that’s it. Greenfield must have done it. Why, he as good as admitted it last term.”
“Well, then, it’s very queer those fellows making up to him,” said Ricketts. “It’s no use our trying to send the fellow to Coventry when the others don’t back us up.”
“Wraysford always was daft about Greenfield,” said Tom Senior, “but I am astonished at Pembury and Bullinger.”
“All I can say is,” said Braddy, “Greenfield will have to ask me before I have anything to do with him.”