“Probably,” said the bolder spirit within him; “but keep your feet, Railsford, my brave fellow, as long as you can.”
So he braced himself up to the ordeal, and walked across at the appointed time, calm and collected, determined to “die game,” if die he must.
It was a full meeting, but, to everybody’s surprise, most of all Railsford’s, Dr Ponsford was not present.
The head-master, as I have said, had the greatest belief in holding himself aloof from the settlement of any question which could possibly be settled without him. One might have supposed that the present question was one which would require his particular handling. Ultimately it would, no doubt; but meanwhile he would let his lieutenants sift the various issues raised, and send up to him only the last point for his adjudication.
Railsford was disappointed, on the whole; for his one wish was to have the matter settled once for all, and to know the worst before he went to bed that night.
Mr Roe, and Grover, and one or two more of his friends came forward to greet him as he entered, as if nothing was about to take place. But he did not feel actor enough to keep up the farce, and retired to his back seat at the first opportunity, and waited impatiently for the meeting to begin.
The usual routine business seemed interminable. The little questions of procedure and discipline which were brought up and talked over had very little interest to him, and once, when he found his opinion was being directly invited on some matter, he had with confusion to admit that he had not gathered what the question was.
At last Mr Roe said, turning over the agenda paper—
“That disposes of all the ordinary business. The only other matter is a personal question adjourned from our last meeting.”
Whereupon everyone settled himself in his place expectantly. Mr Bickers rose briskly and made his speech.